Lewis Hamilton wore a powerful message on his t-shirt during several highly publicised moments of the Tuscan GP. Hamilton’s donning of a Breonna Taylor t-shirt on the top step of the podium prompted the FIA to commence a review into their guidelines and the issue as to what statements can and cannot be made during podium ceremonies. During the first Drivers’ Press Conference, ahead of the Russian GP, Hamilton made clear he has no regrets over his actions but is convinced that rules will be implemented to try to stop him in future.  

Sponsorship fuels Formula One and the prime time for a brand to be featured is when the race victor is on the top step and the camera lenses are fixed on him. Lewis Hamilton is well aware of this fact and it is no doubt the reason why at the Tuscan GP he chose to wear a powerful T-shirt stating the message to “arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor” and “say her name”. Not only was this worn on the top step of the podium, but it remained on the 6-time F1 Champion during the televised post-race interviews having already been unveiled for the staple pre-race ‘End Racism’ display. 

During the first Drivers’ Press Conference of the Russian Grand Prix weekend, Lewis Hamilton made clear that he has no regret over his decision and is aware that the FIA may choose to implement further rules to Stop any future opinionated displays: 

“I haven’t spoken to them [The FIA] but I heard that tomorrow [Friday] they’re coming out with a new ruling of some sort saying what we can and cannot do,” said Hamilton. 

Lewis Hamilton is no stranger to having rules implemented which in his eyes he believes are done so and targeted against him – such as the banning of an engine’s ‘Party Mode’ in qualifying. Hamilton also made clear during the press conference that any rule implemented would not deter him: 

“I don’t know what they’re going to do this weekend. But lots of rules have been written for me over the years, that hasn’t stopped me.” 

“What I will do is just continue to try to work with Formula 1 and with the FIA to make sure the messaging is right. Could it be better? Of course, it could always be better, but that’s part of the learning curve.” 

Even before the publicity of the case of Breonna Taylor, a black medical technician shot eight times by police during a no-knock investigation at her home in March, there had been a worldwide anti-racism response in the midst of so much perceived injustice. 

Lewis Hamilton has been at the forefront of this and also the frontline having attended an anti-racism protest himself with his entourage - albeit in disguise for understandable reasons.  

Lewis Hamilton is in no doubt that the issue at stake being debated globally is a matter of human rights and not politics. Whereas some so-called fans have chosen to direct criticism towards him, Hamilton has been encouraged by the reaction of the majority of those who follow him, idolise him and most importantly - listen to him. 

https://www.motorlat.com/notas/f1/17191/f1-alex-albon-quot-i-don-039-t-look-at-the-media

“What was really positive was the support that I’ve got from the fans,” he said. “I think the fans have been amazing.” 

“I don’t regret a single moment of it. I usually follow my heart and do what I feel is right. I felt that that was me following my heart I did something that’s never really happened in Formula 1 and obviously they’ll stop it from happening moving forward.” 

“People do talk about sport not being a place for politics. Ultimately it’s a human rights issue and in my opinion that is something that we should be pushing towards. 

“We have a huge group of amazing people that watch our sport from multiple different backgrounds and cultures and we should definitely be pushing positive messages towards them. Especially for equality.” 

When Lewis Hamilton wore his Breonna Taylor t-shirt, he did so under the full knowledge that the FIA does not endorse political messages – hence drivers being given the option to kneel or not kneel during the End Racism pre-race display.  

“As a business and as an organisation they’ve obviously got certain limits that they feel they have to work within. They’re obviously trying to make everyone happy which is obviously what they’ve tried to do, and do the right thing. 

“So again I think this is a learning process for everyone because people have been happy with the norm here of how life and society has operated. But ultimately the world, and the younger generation particularly, are more conscious that things aren’t equal and change is needed. 

“So it does take conversations with people and things like Mugello happening for people to spark the conversation that perhaps would never have taken place if it didn’t happen.” 

The FIA has always maintained neutrality in all that it does, and this very statement is detailed in its own statutes. For Lewis Hamilton though, he believes that an exception should be made: 

"I usually follow my heart and do what I feel is right. I did something that has never really happened in Formula 1.” 

The real headlines this weekend over something that has never happened before is that another victory for Lewis Hamilton this weekend would be the 91st of his career which would equal Michael Schumacher’s record achieved in 2001.  

Lewis Hamilton has already won the Russian Grand Prix four times and you can be sure his confidence is high. Therefore, time will tell as to what he has planned for when the camera and spotlight is back on him once again.