MX23RW : Friday, November 8 20:04:18| >> :600:128112:128112:

Lewis Hamilton: 'I will fight for change as long as I have air in my lungs'

The Formula One champion knelt in support of Black Lives Matter before every grand prix last season.

Sir Lewis Hamilton has said "inequities" continue to plague Formula One and that he will demand change for as long as he has air in his lungs.

Hamilton, who will soon be bidding for an unprecedented eighth world championship in what could be his final season in the sport, won last year's title against the backdrop of his personal fight against racial injustices.

He persuaded his Mercedes team to paint their cars black in a defiant message against racism, and also took the knee before all of last year's grands prix.

F1 announced earlier this month that a moment of reflection will be included before the start of every race in a display of the sport's "united support for important issues".

Posting to his Instagram account on Friday, Hamilton, 36, wrote: "Last year some of us took a knee in support of equality which I am proud of.

"My question is, what's next? The inequities within our sport and within the world persist. Change is still needed.

"We must keep pushing to hold ourselves and others accountable. We have to keep striving for equality for all, in order to continue to see true and lasting change in our world.

Lewis Hamilton equalled Michael Schumacher's record with his seventh world title last year
Lewis Hamilton equalled Michael Schumacher's record with his seventh world title last year (PA Wire/PA Images)

"As long as I have air in my lungs, I will continue to fight for change in everything I do."

Last year, the British driver established the Hamilton Commission which aims to improve diversity in motorsport.

His former McLaren boss, Martin Whitmarsh, is on a 14-strong board who are due to return their findings later in the year.

In his social media post, Hamilton, who remains the sport's sole black driver, added: "I will work to create pathways and opportunities for kids of colour, within sciences, engineering and creative disciplines.

"Let's keep pushing. What are you committed to?"

Hamilton will take the wraps off the Mercedes he hopes will fire him to a record-breaking eighth title at the team's 2021 launch on Tuesday.

The new season starts in Bahrain on March 28.

ID:436907: cacheID:436907:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:12178:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the Bahrain Grand Prix on November 29, 2020
Read Next:
Team owner says Hamilton to Aston Martin 'tempting'
>
rhs 2.0


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!