Lewis Hamilton’s off-track activism is helping to extend his F1 career – and silencing the critics

For those who don’t believe that sport and politics should mix, that athletic performance must somehow exist outside of the context in which it is derived, Lewis Hamilton is a complicated figure.

In recent years, the seven-time world champion has spoken louder and louder on social issues, from Black Lives Matter to the representation of minorities in Formula 1 itself. Sebastian Vettel and Lando Norris have joined the brotherhood of F1 drivers to help them Using profile to drive social change.

Some, even with the evidence of social inequality exposed, are reluctant to see the actions of sports stars highlighting such issues. They see it as an attack on themselves – a misunderstanding fueled by those who want to spread disorder, not unity.

Well hard. Sport and politics are intertwined, whether you like it or not. The award of the 2018 and 2022 World Championships, the 2008 Olympic Games and the 2014 Winter Olympic Games took place under the specter of international politics. England’s disastrous staging of the Euro 2020 final this summer has exposed the shortcomings of modern society in several ways. The price of season tickets, equal pay in tennis, building permits for a new stadium – everything is politics.

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To argue that Hamilton has no right to bring questions of social equality into Formula 1 – of all sports – means to misunderstand the effects of sport on society.

The problem, apparently, is that when Hamilton stands up for minority rights, he somehow gets diverted from the task of winning F1 titles. Unsurprisingly, Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford endured the same criticism.

However, Hamilton is the embodiment of the success that can be achieved when sport and politics mix. Indeed, the fact that he has spent the past few years pushing for greater minority representation in Formula 1, let alone in society as a whole, has not in the least affected his dominance of the sport.

While Max Verstappen is finally able to challenge the veteran Brit this year, Hamilton has the experience and the tools to use the off-track challenges as fuel to improve his performance on it .

Sport and politics mix very well.

“It was just before the start of the season and I thought we were through a phase, Black Lives Matter, kneeling down, what’s the next step and how can we continue to encourage conversation?” Hamilton told Sky Sports.

“This year I did not fall back on past experiences, but on the energy of this positive work.

Sebastian Vettel has also campaigned for minority rights this season (Photo: AP)

“I noticed that last year and it was part of it last year. On the podium so I can give Breonna [Taylor] that voice, it was a great drive for me.

“So now it’s the work that I do in the background and then I show up and enjoy this job.

“Will it help me with the race? I think so, yes. It’s like my new drive and I feel like it gives me more longevity because there is a lot of work that we have to do. I feel like it gives real meaning to my life too. Running is not a purpose, it is something you do. “

Finding new ways to get interested in F1 at 36 is certainly something Hamilton had to address. As world titles fell one after the other, Hamilton’s star shone further than the sport. Flirtations with Hollywood, other motorsports, and early retirement have come and gone.

But this year Hamilton signed a new two-year deal with Mercedes – a deal that few seasons ago would have thought possible. What else does he have to prove? Well, nothing on the line. But Hamilton, like other sports stars, has recognized that their enormous profile can be better used than simply winning pots and supporting high-paying brands.

And he says it is this drive that has improved his longevity in the sport he loves.

“Of course, I’ve definitely had moments … people don’t see, but it’s not all nice,” he said. “I am only human and everything is relative.

“You have days with ups and downs, I have really difficult days when I don’t want to train, you don’t want to push any further, I also experience all these different thoughts that people have.

“There were definitely times when I thought, ‘I don’t know if I can continue,’ or maybe I want to do something else. But I think I only found my calling last year.

“Now I feel like I have a mission in life and it’s not just about winning championships and races, it’s all cool, but actually being able to make a difference to help young people to get through.

“My niece and nephew will have engineering talks at school and maybe triple science and maybe multiracial kids who can become engineers either here or at NASA, wherever. I love that.”

There was a time when athletes could only inspire the next generation with their actions on athletics, on the field or on the court. But that’s over now. And the world could be much better off with it.

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