Hamilton won’t boycott F1 Belgian GP in protest over Blake shooting
Lewis Hamilton says he has no plans to boycott this weekend’s Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix to mirror similar protests 🎃in America in response to the shooti🔥ng of Jacob Blake.
NBA, MLB and MLS - the top levels of basketbaಞll, baseball and football - have all postponed games as part of a mass walk-out of sporting events across the United States in a show of support for Blake, a black man, who was shot seven times in the back by police in Wisconsin on Sunday as he opened the door of his car.
Tennis 𝓰player Naomi Osaka has also pulled out of a WTA semi-final tennis match on Thursday in response to the shooting, which has sparked a wave of protests and demonstrations in recent days.
But Hamilton, who has been a vocal and instrumental figure in leꦅading F1’s anti-racism campaign, confirmed he will not stand down from this weekend’s race.
“Firstly I think it’s incredible what many out there in the States are doing within their sports, all the way down to the peoplဣe that are hosting, commentators for example,” Hamilton said during the F1 press conference on Thursday in Belgium.
“So many people are standing with the players and really pushing for c🥃han𝔍ge. It’s a shame that that’s what needed over there to get a reaction.
“But that is in America and I🧸 don’t know if really me doing anything here will particular🤡ly have an effect. We’re in Belgium, we’re not in the United States.
“I haven’t spoken to anybody about it but I am really🐷 proud of so many out there and I do stand unified with them trying to do what I can over here. I don’t really know how us not doing the race – it will still go on – is a thing.🧜”
A formal anti-racism pre-race ceremonyꦺ has been introduced by F1 but Hamilton said he will continue to hold talks with championship bosses to discuss other ways of pu♎shing the anti-racism message.
“I’ll still try and speak to Formula 1 to see what else we can do to continue to raise aw🤡areness, continue to help push,” he said.
“Naturall♋y I think as a sport we all need to be aligned, we all need to be supporting one another.”
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for mahbx.com around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stori♎es of the people who matter in the sport.
