Who said you need to be a current driver to revolutionize F1? Ralf Schumacher has changed the mindset of the motorsport world. And there is barely anyone who hasn’t welcomed Schumacher’s brave revelation. The happiest of all would be Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton; their years of hard work to make motorsport a safe space for diversity has bore its sweetest fruits. It surely has taken years, but the efforts haven’t gone to waste.

The 7x World Champion proudly says the sport has made a lot of progress since he and Sebastian Vettel protested about an anti-LGBTQ+ law in Hungary three years ago. Hamilton and Vettel had been protesting, and surprisingly, it was Ralf Schumacher who cautioned them to not do what they were doing. Hamilton recalled: “In Saudi and Qatar, I remember Ralf [Schumacher] said it wasn’t a good idea to do those things. Perhaps today he may have shifted his mind.”

From sending cautionary messages to embracing himself, Ralf Schumacher’s journey in these three years has been remarkable. Finally, Lewis added: “And even him taking that step sends such a positive message and liberates others to be able to do the same. We need more and more people to be free to do that.”

Lewis Hamilton has always been a supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. Through his words, he implies that people like Ralf Schumacher pave the way for more such revelations. Especially in motorsport, which has often been criticized for having poor diversity, Schumacher’s coming out has exposed the arena as a safe space for the likes of Ralf.

Lewis Hamilton: the voice of the unheard warriors of the world

Hamilton has always been outspoken about the rights of people. Be it in motorsport or in general, the Mercedes No.1 never shuts down on what he feels is morally correct. Becoming the first and only driver of African origin, Lewis Hamilton’s entry into motorsport itself was history. Since the very beginning his battle for representation commenced.

The  7x champ has often complained, criticized rather, that his sport doesn’t support and promote diversity. He has been the voice of the youth. He has openly embraced the BLM movement and shared his displeasure when motorsport didn’t do the same. Lewis along with Sebastian Vettel have stood in solidarity for the LGBTQ+ community. From Vettel donning a ‘rainbow’ mask to Hamilton proudly wearing a ‘rainbow’ helmet, the two legends always voiced their mind and soul for the right cause.

People like Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton make the world a better place for people like Ralf Schumacher. Lewis’ anecdote from the past and Schumacher’s grand revelation in recent times highlight how times have changed. Ralf’s brave move has set an example for others from the LGBTQ+ community to come up and embrace motorsport because now, they know it is a safe space.