Reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton says winning the 2020 Formula 1 title would “mean more than ever” given the coronavirus pandemic and recent diversity movements.
Formula 1’s delayed 2020 campaign will get underway in Austria this weekend with Hamilton striving to win the world title for a record-equalling seventh time – and Hamilton is odds on favourite for the crown. If you are a fan of sports betting, there are a multitude of options to choose from. You can find odds for betting on different sports events as well as a list of new bettings sites here.
Several months of the season were lost due to the coronavirus, during which time race-related protests and movements were sparked after the death in police custody of an unarmed black man in the United States.
Hamilton has been vocal in the push for equality, and greater diversity, and has launched his own commission, while Mercedes will run a revised black livery on its W11 this year.
“Winning the title this year would mean more than ever before being that it is such a momentous year in the sense [of] this pandemic, which we are still fighting,” said Hamilton on Thursday.
“But then on a more personal level and the Black Lives Matter [movement] and fighting for injustice and equality that, being in that time to be also fighting for something so important, it is not going to change in our time, our generation but for our kids, it is such an important moment for us, so yes, winning the world title during this time would be even more important.”
In several other sports participants have taken the knee to show their support for equality but Hamilton said it has not been decided whether Formula 1 drivers will carry out the act on Sunday.
“We haven’t all spoken, so I’m sure during this weekend we will,” he said.
“It’s not something that’s been on the top of my mind, I’ve been asked that question multiple times, and it’s not really been a priority of mine to come here and kneel. We’ll see Sunday.
“Whatever we do, we’ll try and do it united… it’s important we remain united, or become united, in this sport.
“We really do have to fight to end the injustices and the inequality.
“It’s not enough to take a moment to just post blackout Tuesday or whatever it may be, and then go back to regular lives. It has to continue. Black people don’t have the privilege of being able to take a moment out.
“It’s something we have to stay on top of, the industry has to stay on top of, we all have to come together.”
