Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton vowed to continue speaking out despite Formula One‘s governing body clamping down on drivers making ‘political’ statements. The joint-most successful driver in the sport’s history has used his platform to highlight racial injustice, promote diversity and address a range of issues from the environment to human rights. The FIA governing body updated its International Sporting Code last December, stipulating that prior written permission must be obtained in order to make or display ‘political, religious and personal statements or comments’ at races – a move has been criticised by a string of drivers and rights groups.
When asked whether he would be prepared to break the rules and accept sanctions, Hamilton said ‘It would be silly to say that I would want to get penalty points for speaking out on things. But I am still going to be speaking my mind as we still have this platform, there are still a lot of things we need to tackle.’