Six times world champion, Lewis Hamilton has said that he had no plans to boycott the Belgian Grand Prix holding this weekend. This is coming after several sporting events have been cancelled or postponed in the United States after the shooting of James Blake, a black man, by police officials.
Many prominent sports stars have expressed their displeasure by pulling out and boycotting events, including tennis star Naomi Osaka, who pulled out of a WTA tournament on Wednesday.
Hamilton however expressed his support for the athletes taking a stand and praised their efforts, but doubted that his actions might have any effect on what was happening. He said, “it’s incredible what many out there in the States are doing within their sports, all the way down to the people who are hosting. So many people are standing with the players and really pushing for change. It is a shame that is what’s needed over there in order to get a reaction. But that is in America and I don’t know really if me doing anything here will particularly have any effect. We are in Belgium, not in the States. I haven’t spoken to anyone about it but I am really proud of so many out there and I do stand unified with them.” Hamilton then added that he would speak to the F1 and see what can be done to continue to push awareness and help where necessary.
The F1, led by Hamilton, has taken a stand against racism this season by organising a pre-race show where drivers opt to kneel as a sign of respect and solidarity. Mercedes drivers have also worn black kits in support of the movement. For Hamilton, it is quite a big deal as he is a black driver in a sport that is predominantly white and he has been quite vocal about his support without failing to call out the F1 to do more.
The Belgian GP is the seventh GP of the season and Hamilton has won 4 races already, currently topping the Drivers’ Championship standings. Team Mercedes would, this year again, aim to win the race for the first time in 3 years. The weekend would also feature a one-year remembrance of an F2 driver, Anthoine Hubert, who died last year at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, the venue for the GP. His number 19, which has been retired by the F2, would feature in the logo of all cars racing this weekend.
Written by: Leon Osamor
