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Lewis Hamilton risks sanctions for wearing rainbow helmets in support of LGBTQ+ rights as Formula One bosses say drivers shouldn’t use the sport to further their ‘personal agenda’ or make ‘political statements’
- FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has warned that drivers could face sanctions if they make unauthorized “political, religious or personal statements”.
- Drivers will first need to obtain written permission from the governing body
- Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton wore Black Lives Matter jerseys, took a knee and spoke in support of LGBTQ+ rights at the races.
- Ben Sulayem told the drivers that the FIA ”was not a platform for personal agendas”
Lewis Hamilton and other Formula One drivers face possible punishment if they make “political, religious or personal statements” at races next season.
The president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), Mohammed Ben Sulayem, warned that drivers could face sanctions if they make such a statement without approval.
Former world champions Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel are among the Formula One stars who have spoken out on political and social issues at races in recent seasons.
Lewis Hamilton wears a rainbow colored helmet in support of LGBTQ+ rights at the Qatar Grand Prix in Doha in 2021
Sebastian Vettel wore a rainbow colored ‘same love’ jersey on the grid at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix
Hamilton wore a rainbow-patterned helmet in support of LGBTQ+ rights during the Qatar Grand Prix in 2021 and condemned anti-gay laws in Saudi Arabia.
The now-retired Vettel has campaigned on a number of issues, including LGBTQ+ rights and climate change.
Confirming an update to the International Sporting Code governing Formula One, Emirati Ben Sulayem said: “We are concerned about building bridges. You can use sport for reasons of peace…
“But one thing we don’t want is to have the FIA as a platform for private personal agendas.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem says drivers will need to seek approval from the governing body to make such statements from now on.
F1 drivers Lance Stroll (left), Sebastian Vettel (centre) and Lewis Hamilton take a knee
‘We will deviate from the sport. What does the driver do best? driving. They’re so good at it and they do the business, they do the show, they’re the stars. Nobody stops them.
‘There is another platform to express what they want. Everyone has this and they are welcome to go through the FIA process, to go through that.’
Ben Sulayem rejected the suggestion that the FIA was shutting down drivers, saying he wanted to “improve and clean up” the sport.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton dons a Black Lives Matter jersey before a 2020 race
“I have my own personal stuff, that’s fine, but that doesn’t mean I’ll use the FIA to do it,” he added.
I think the FIA should be neutral. We need the superstars to make the sport.
‘If there is something, take leave. If not, if they make any other mistakes, it’s like speeding in pit lane. If you do, it’s very clear what you get.
The 2023 Formula One season begins in Bahrain in the first week of March.