Lewis Hamilton wears rainbow-coloured F1 helmet for Qatar GP
Qatar is holding its first-ever F1 race at the Losail Int﷽ernational Circuit this we𝕴ekend before it joins the calendar as a permanent fixture from 2023 as part of a 10-year deal.
Hamilton has replaced his usua൲l helmet design for the event with a livery that incorporates the Progress Pride flag, fe𒈔aturing the colours of the LGBTQ+ community.
A message on th♛e back of Hamilton’s helmet reads “We Stand Toge𒊎ther” in place of his usual ‘Still I Rise’ motto.
Ha🅘milton said F1 is🅷 “duty bound” to raise awareness of human rights issues in Qatar ahead of the country’s maiden grand prix.
“Ultimately, us drivers, it’s not our choice where we get to go and race,” Hamilt🔜on said on Thursday.
“I do feel that we are aware there are issues in these places that we are going to as there are around the world but of courꦐse it seems to be deemed one of the worst in tꦉhis part of the world.
“I do think✅ as sports go to these places they are duty-bound to raise awareness for these issues and these places need scrutiny.&nඣbsp;
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1)Qatar has been critic🍒ised for not taking reforms far enough on a number of issues including immigrant labour law, women’s right and the illegality of same-sex relationshi🎃ps.
Hamilton said he wished more sports men and women would also꧅ speak out to raise awareness.
🧔“One person can only make a small difference but together, collectively w𓃲e can have a bigger impact,” he added.
“Do I wish more sportsmen and women spoke out on these issues? Yes. It’s education. It takes time to ♚go out and learn about regions tha♔t are foreign to us.
“We’re not fr🅷om these areas, it’s complex on the ground in these places wit෴h religion.
“What’s important is we still try to bring awareness to some of these p🍌roblems. While there have been changes made over time, it’s never enough.
“I have be🧸en to a lot of these countries and have been ignorant, been unconscious of some of the problems in some of the places.
“I𒉰t’s down to whether you decide to educate yourself and hold the sport more accountable and make sure the sport is actually doing something about it when it goes to those places.
“That’s why I’ve tried to raise my voice. But there are far brighter people that are knowledgeable on these issues that are🦹 actually trying to fig𓆉ht them in the background.
“But I﷽ still think we can bring a spotlight to it and create that scrutiny and that pressure that can hopefully create change.”
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for mahbx.com around the world. Often reporting on 📖the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.
