“Teams Were Talking Racist Things About Me”: Lewis Hamilton Expresses Gratitude to Sebastian Vettel for Saving Him in “Brave” Fashion From Horrific Reality of F1

The sport of Formula 1 has moved into the limelight in the past couple of years. And the growing popularity of the sport has also burdened it with the aspect of ‘social responsibility’. Luckily for them, they had 7x champion, Lewis Hamilton and his arch-on-track nemesis Sebastian Vettel to pick up the baton in this charge. Since then, arguably, the sport has moved leaps and bounds forward in spreading the word of equality and inclusiveness. But how would you feel to learn that while on the face of it, the paddock supported the Brit, behind his back, they whistled a sinister tune?

That’s right. Lewis Hamilton has been a people’s champion. He has undoubtedly raced, not only as a driver but also as a person who spreads the word of love and togetherness through the platform he’s earned through his exploits. But not all the people within the paddock who seemingly support his ideals are on the same page as him.

Lewis Hamilton exposes past racist realities in F1

Vettel and Hamilton have been two drivers who’ve stood up against discrimination. And while they battled it out hard on the track, off of it, the two were compatriots for the same cause. And now that the 4x Champion has left the sport, Hamilton definitely feels lonelier than before.

While talking on an F1 program by DAZN, as quoted by Spanish outlet AS.com, Hamilton began, “We have to get people to empathize, we need empathy. Sometimes I wonder, does anyone else care? Sebastian (Vettel) was one of those who supported me the most.” [translated via Google Translate] He then went on to reveal a shocking reality that Vettel brought to his attention.

“He told me that some teams were talking racist things about me. He got down on one knee with me in 2020, I have yet to see a driver as brave as him. Laws must be changed so that people live better. We are risking our lives to try to educate others,” concluded the Brit.

Read More: Emmanuel Macron Joins Forces With Lewis Hamilton to Demand Stern Changes From Liberty Media While Proposing a Return of F1 to France

Vettel’s exposé should not come as a surprise given that he really does empathize with the 38-year-old’s plight.

Sebastian Vettel stands by Hamilton

This won’t be the first time Hamilton would’ve had to come face-to-face with the demon of racism. Most recently, former F1 champion, Nelson Piquet was in the news for his racist comments against the Brit while commenting on the 2021 British GP crash between Hamilton and his daughter’s boyfriend, Max Verstappen.

Even back then, Vettel expressed his solidarity with the Silver Arrows’ talisman. He was quoted by MARCA as saying, “I think it’s more than just the recent days, it’s probably what he and his family have been through his entire life. Any form of abuse is wrong.”

Does the sport of F1 need to dig deeper to eradicate the bane of racism?

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