Lewis Hamilton sends August message to fans
Hamilton has also used this opportunity to wear t-shirts carrying slogans on them. These have been poignant, creative and thought-provoking in equal measure.
While they’ve all conveyed important messages, they’ve also all matched Hamilton’s growing commitment to achieving tangible change away from the race track.
Hamilton has also used this opportunity to wear t-shirts carrying slogans on them. These have been poignant, creative and thought-provoking in equal measure.
While they’ve all conveyed important messages, they’ve also all matched Hamilton’s growing commitment to achieving tangible change away from the race track.
The following week, a grand jury in Louisville indicted one police officer — Brett Hankison — for shooting through the walls and into neighbouring apartments. Hankison was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment in connection to the police raid that resulted in the death of Taylor, a Black woman, on the night of March 13.
Following the verdict, Hamilton wrote: “I’m so sad but not surprised at this outcome. Police continue to get away with murder every single day and it needs to stop! She was innocent and did not deserve to be shot and killed. Where is the justice, this clearly isn’t it!
“It hurts to know somebody was killed and nobody was held accountable. Imagine that was your mum, your brother or sister or friend, her life mattered but the system which was meant to protect her failed her all because of her skin colour. So mad.”
The Mugello t-shirt also created headlines after the race. Hamilton’s decision to wear the shirt on the podium was controversial and prompted the FIA, motor racing’s governing body, to investigate whether doing so had contravened its rules.
The FIA deemed it had been a breach but promptly banned non-official team kit being worn on the podium to prevent a repeat.
Hamilton later said: “I will just try to continue to work with them. Whether or not I agree or disagree [with the decision] is kind of irrelevant, it’s just trying to find a common ground in how we can do it together, maybe.
“So do I believe that they fully understand? I don’t know, but perhaps in the future we all will to the same extent.”
Speaking after Mugello, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reaffirmed the team’s commitment to allowing Hamilton to express his mind however he liked.
“No question — it is entirely his decision,” Wolff said. “Whatever he does, we will support.
“The team is fighting against any kind of racism and discrimination, and it is Lewis’s personal fight for Black Lives Matter and with all the support we can give him. It’s his call.”
Mugello was the last time Hamilton wore a shirt with a slogan to the podium.
