The marination of the onlookers, before the 2023 season is served, has begun. It began with car reveals and has now taken a more personal turn to drivers’ lids. Lewis Hamilton, arguably the most popular Formula 1 driver, didn’t let his fans down when he debuted his headgear in front of the world. Upholding his iconic choice of colors and his choice of stance, he specified the underlining ‘rainbow accents’. But some trouble might come knocking on his doors soon with the governing body FIA hellbent on preventing the drivers from taking up causes.

For the uninitiated, the FIA has updated the International Sporting code, specifying that the drivers cannot make political, religious, or personal statements during any official ceremony. With Sebastian Vettel gone, Hamilton is the only one who dares to use his popularity and platform to bring awareness regarding certain causes, and many think that the clampdown may perhaps be directed at the 7x world champion.

As quoted by the Mirror, the FIA made it clear, “Anything critical of or hostile to others’ religious or spiritual beliefs” would be against the rule. That implies that a driver might be punished if, for example, they were to wear a rainbow t-shirt or race helmet on a Grand Prix weekend, without permission, as criticism of a country’s lack of LGBT+ rights.”

The said document further stated, “The updates cement the FIA’s long-standing commitment to protecting motorsport’s neutrality and will particularly ensure neutrality during key moments across all motor sport competitions, such as podiums, national anthems and official activities ‘on the field of play’ – it does not impose any additional restrictions on individuals expressing their views outside of these times.”

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The specific mention of banning rainbow t-shirts and race helmets and the contrasting debut of difficult to silence, Hamilton’s lid may push the governing body to take some action. With Hamilton already in probable trouble opposing the ban, other drivers have also not appreciated the suppression of free speech.

Norris comes out in support of fellow Brit Lewis Hamilton

Lando Norris, who has been a vocal advocate of mental health and other issues, comes from the land of the Magna Carta. The liberal free speech is in his DNA like that of fellow Briton, Hamilton. Similar to his fellow drivers of the Formula 1 grid, he hasn’t appreciated the barbaric steps of the FIA stating that they shouldn’t be required to ask for permission being at the apex of motor sporting.

At the MCL60 launch, as quoted by The Guardian, Norris said, “We are not at school. We shouldn’t have to ask about everything. ‘Can we do this? Can we do that?’ We are grown up enough to make smart decisions. Enough drivers have said things now to push back,” said Norris. “We should be able to say what we want and what we believe in.”

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In the ongoing tussle between the drivers and the FIA, who do you think will come out victorious in the end?