Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton had the fiercest of rivalries. Ever since the 2021 title contention, the two have come out as arch-rivals. Nonetheless, Mercedes’ inability to provide a competitive car has put the rivalry on hold. However, this rivalry couldn’t stop a key figure at Red Bull from respecting Lewis Hamilton for his path-breaking humanitarian initiatives, who is this key figure, and how did Hamilton earn his respect?

Lewis Hamilton isn’t just an F1 driver but a role model to millions including a lot of people in the F1 paddock. The Briton has used his platform extremely well to educate people about the social evils and causes as Hamilton openly speaks about them. Whenever there’s a wrong happening around the world, the 7X champion for sure will raise his concern regarding the same.

Lewis Hamilton is the only colored driver on the F1 grid. The Briton has always been vocal about the issue and the same is the case with this. Hamilton openly speaks about the lack of diversity in F1, not only in drivers but also in the garages. Red Bull engineer, Calum Nicholas praised Lewis Hamilton for all that he has done for diversity in F1. He suggests that it was the Briton’s effort because of which this issue is being talked about in the first place.

According to the Track Limits podcast, Calum Nicholas said, “What I will say is, firstly, we have to thank Lewis for starting the conversation.” He added, “One thing I will say is when I started in 2009, it’s a lot better now but the problem was still there then. But no one was having a conversation about it, there was no discussion to be had. So one of the things we have to thank Lewis for actually all of us need to thank Lewis for is just having the conversation started. He used his platform so effectively that there was actually a conversation to be had here.”

Hamilton has always been at the forefront of this discussion. The Briton has made multiple statements regarding more women and people of color being incorporated into F1 and other motorsport series.

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Lewis Hamilton asks for equality and transparency in F1 to help with diversity 

F1 has introduced the F1 academy to promote women across all divisions of Motorsport. The ‘We Race as One’ initiative was also launched by FIA and F1 to promote equality and fight against any sort of racism. Lewis Hamilton suggested that the women in the F1 paddock need to be brought in the front so that the younger girls can get inspiration from them.

According to tr.motorsport.com, Lewis Hamilton said “We need higher positions in F1, equality, and transparency in those positions. When I look at the garages of the teams, almost all the staff are white men. Although there are women among them, they mostly work in the background. We need to bring them to the fore more so the young girls watching can know that it’s possible for them to be here”

What do you think? To what extent had Lewis Hamilton been responsible for the changes in F1 related to diversity?

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