Love him or not, Formula One’s Lewis Hamilton is a man on a mission. Having experienced racism first hand during his racing career, the seven times world champion was quick to jump on the band wagon when social media videos went viral depicting the demise of George Floyd  in Minneapolis.

The Black Lives Matter movement captured the attention of the Western global white majority and the innocent label appeared to represent everything which is fair and wholesome in human aspiration. Lewis Hamilton during Covid was seen on a huge BLM march through the streets of London where his masked face and raised fist was pictured in an iconic representation of his hero Chadwick Boseman.

Hamilton was quick to challenge Formula One from within the newly founded anti-racist movement which captivated both media and public alike with its simple message that the police should not kill people whatever the colour of their skin.

 

 

 

Hamilton plays the victim

Yet behind BLM was a sinister anti-establishment organisation whose political agenda was hidden by the broader message of fairness and justice which garnered global support. Hamilton launched his anti-racism campaign in the face of FIA regulations which insist that political ideology should not be promoted within F1.

Yet Lewis was to protest his campaign was not political but indeed an issue of human rights, exactly as the Black Lives Matter slogan suggested. His first public demonstration was in Mugello in 2020, where he wore a T-shirt bearing the slogan, “Arrest the cops that killed Breonna Taylor” both before and after the race.

This piece of activism created unease within the FIA, who were rumoured to be planning sanctions and bans ahead of the Russian Grand Prix. Faced with action from the F1’s regulatory body, Hamilton went on the offensive claiming, “I don’t know what they [the FIA] are going to do this weekend. Lots of rules have been written for me over the years and they haven’t stopped me,” said Lewis pleading his victim status.

The innocent nature of the BLM headline message appeared to captivate Toto Wolff and the rest of the Mercedes hierarchy alike. Wolff declared in Sochi, “Racism and discrimination have no place in our society, our sport or our team: this is a core belief of Mercedes. But having the right beliefs and the right mindset isn’t enough if we remain silent.”

Alpine accusations

 

 

 

Chandhock joins the band waggon

Of course the message of equality for all is one which most of humanity can unite around, yet the diversity agenda behind BLM had a far more sinister ideology which Mercedes bought into. Team boss Toto Wolff announced, “We wish to use our voice and our global platform to speak up for respect and equality, and the Silver Arrow will race in black for the entire 2020 season to show our commitment to greater diversity within our team and our sport.”

The reality of the BLM agenda came into sharp focus within the paddock when ex-F1 Indian driver and now popular Sky F1 pundit, Karun Chandhock, recorded a VT piece to broadcast during the race weekend where his conclusion was simple, “I’d like to see more brown faces like me in the paddock.”

This seemingly innocent expression of equal opportunities for all appeared more than reasonable, except when the small matter of population mix is taken into account. Formula One is predominantly a UK based global racing series and as such the mix of ethnicity within the local population is likely to be represented amongst the teams as it is in any other British based organisation.

The 2021 UK census revealed that 3.1% of the population is from Indian decent and so Chandhock’s aspiration for more “brown faces” in the paddock may well not be justified. Yet BLM was never about fairness and appropriate representation, rather it was a tool to bring society to heel and heed the demands of minority groups. A straw poll amongst F1 veteran writers found that the paddock was in fact already far more diverse than the averages represented in the Uk population.

Red Bull shock: What went wrong?

 

 

 

Mercedes drop BLM livery

This was never more obvious than the decision made by Mercedes to switch their tradition and historic ‘silver arrows’ livery, for one which was black. The team’s drivers too were to wear black overalls in support of BLM, something Valtteri Bottas ironically observed as being “fucking hot” as track temperatures soar3ed above 50ºC during the Spanish Grand Prix. His observation that he lost 3kg throughout the race and that white suits would have better reflected the heat largely went unreported.

Now with Lewis Hamilton heading for Ferrari, who certainly will not switch out their Maranello red livery for any of Hamilton’s whimsical agenda’s, it appears Mercedes have now found their feet again no longer under pressure from their star driver.

Kimi Antonelli is Mercedes’ hopeful answer to Max Verstappen and is replacing the seven times world champion at Brackley this season. This week he had his first outing in an older Mercedes F1 car under the rules which govern previous car testing arrangements.

In a two day test in Jerez, where he was joined by ex-Prema team mate Oliver Bearman (now of Haas), the young Italian was notably driving the 2020 Mercedes – but not in its historic livery. Gone was the black lives matter livery and it was noticeable the car had been prepared in a camouflage livery, but more akin to the traditional silver arrows Mercedes colours.

Red Bull blocks McLaren

 

 

 

Ferrari will remain red

Mercedes explanation was that with the departure of Hamilton, a significant number of sponsors were no longer in partnership with Mercedes. Yet this explanation doesn’t wash given at every historic motor racing event, the Amber Leaf and Black and Gold colours of the Lotus supporting tobacco companies – now banned from advertising in F1 – are there for all to see.

Yet for now Toto Wolff appears to be wedded to Hamilton’s legacy, as when asked whether the colours of the 2025 Mercedes F1 challenger would revert to their historic silver, he indicated not. The team boss revealed they would “stick with” the Hamilton inspired livery for 2025, something Lewis will never get Ferrari to accept – no matter how strong his global brand may be.

F1 hybrid future in crisis: Audi shock insight

 

 

 

Exciting young Indycar driver gets Red Bull F1 drive

Patricio “Pato” O’Ward’s motorsport journey is a tale of relentless ambition and undeniable talent. Born in Monterrey, Mexico, O’Ward began karting at a young age and quickly made a name for himself on the competitive circuits of North America. With a fearless driving style and a relentless drive to succeed, he rose through the ranks and was eventually recognised as one of the brightest prospects in the world of motorsport.

By the time he joined the Indy Lights series, O’Ward had already demonstrated the kind of raw speed and racing ability that would turn the heads of team bosses and talent scouts alike.

As he continued to rise through the ranks, O’Ward’s successes began to attract the attention of some of the biggest names in motorsport. His victory in the 2018 Indy Lights Championship cemented his reputation as a driver to watch, demonstrating a combination of consistency, skill and maturity beyond his years. This triumph opened doors to opportunities many young drivers can only dream of, positioning O’Ward for a potential move to the pinnacle of motorsport: Formula 1. The road to the top is rarely straightforward, however, and for O’Ward the challenges he would face off the track would prove just as formidable as those behind the wheel…. READ MORE