Sebastian Vettel’s Absence Drills a Hole in Lewis Hamilton’s Life as FIA Starts to Establish Its Authority

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. Sebastian Vettel retiring from the sport has left a void in the heart of Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time-world champion’s fellow Englishman has revealed in a recent interview the reasons for the void left in Hamilton’s life. The urge to fill the void is massive as FIA starts establishing its authority.

Lewis Hamilton is the only black driver on the F1 grid. In fact, he’s the only black driver in the history of F1. As a result, it’s natural for Lewis to feel the need for diversification. Lewis is the only driver on the current grid who stands against any and every kind of social injustice. The Brit is always vocal about how he feels regarding a certain issue. Wearing the pride flag-colored helmet in Saudi Arabia, and standing up against homosexual laws in Uganda are a few examples.

Sebastian Vettel is a social activist, just like Lewis Hamilton. Cleaning the grandstands after the race with fans, and racing with the Ukrainian flag on the helmet to stop the war, Vettel walked shoulder to shoulder with Hamilton in expressing concern about the issues. However, the German retired last year, leaving Hamilton alone on the F1 Grid to fight the social battle. Both Lewis and Vettel confided in each other. The four-time world champion’s retirement has left a void in the Briton’s life. Matt Bishop has now urged the other drivers to step up and fill the void as FIA bans drivers from making comments related to specific issues during a sporting event. 

According to SkySports.com, Matt Bishop said, “He [Vettel] absolutely saw Lewis as somebody who he could confide in, who he could seek counsel from and I think it was mutual, they both saw each other as somebody who ‘gets it’ in the same way,” Further adding “But I suppose I would now like some of the other drivers to consider whether they could perhaps fill the void Sebastian has vacated because Lewis is a tiny bit on his own now.”

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F1 drivers have a huge presence and can make significant differences in these societal injustices by using their platform. This world will become a better place if there are more people like Hamilton.

What is the ban implemented by the FIA and how have drivers reacted to it?

As per the ban, F1 drivers are restrained from making “political, religious and personal” comments within the bounds of “international competition” without prior permission. They did this to protect the commitment to neutrality. The ban isn’t popular with the driver and Lewis has explained he would not be backing down. Alex Albon also joined Hamilton in opposing the ban. 

According to theguardian.com, Alex Albon said, “We are very much for the ‘We Race as One’ [initiative], and it seems as though the FIA are moving away from that. It is clear that we need an open dialogue on what they [the FIA] are trying to do but we need to be able to speak freely to some extent.” “A lot of people look to us as spokespeople for issues around the world, and I do feel it is a responsibility for drivers to make people aware of these kind of situations.”

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Who do you think will stand up and fill the void left behind by Vettel?