Hamilton says 'racial element' to FIA president's comments on drivers swearing during F1 races
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain walks in the paddock at the Baku circuit, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Thursday, Sept.12, 2024. The Formula One Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. Credit: AP/Sergei Grits
SINGAPORE — Lewis Hamilton said Thursday there was a “racial element” to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s recent comments regarding drivers swearing during Formula 1 races.
In an interview with motorsport.com, Ben Sulayem said "we have to differentiate between our sport — motorsport — and rap music” when referring to drivers having a responsibility to stop swearing on the radio.
“We’re not rappers, you know," Ben Sulayem said.
Responding to those remarks ahead of Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix, seven-time champion Hamilton said: “With what he said, I don’t like how he has expressed it. Saying ‘rappers’ is very stereotypical.
“If you think about it, most rappers are black. So it says, ‘We are not like them.' So I think those are the wrong choice of words and there is a racial element there.”
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