Hamilton feels support: "For the first time I am not alone in the sport"
F1 News
- GPblog.com
Lewis Hamilton has received some hate reactions after his clash with Max Verstappen at Silverstone, including racist comments. The Mercedes driver says he feels supported by Formula 1 for the first time ever, and that it is the first time he was not alone in the issue.
In response to the racist posts, statements followed from Formula One and the FIA, as well as Mercedes and Red Bull Racing, who harshly condemned the behaviour. Hamilton says the racism is nothing new to him, but the support he feels is.
Hamilton feels supported by Formula 1 for the first time
"I was amazed by the support I received from the sport, from my team and from some of the drivers," Hamilton told Autosport.com in the press conference before the Hungarian Grand Prix. "I felt for the first time that I was not alone in the sport. Because in the other 27 years I raced, nobody ever said anything."
He continued: "When it happened in 2007, nobody said anything. It's great to see how much progress has been made. Obviously we can't condone it and there's no place for that kind of behaviour. But if I have to be on the receiving end in this industry to make people aware, that's part of my journey. That's why I'm here."