World champion made gesture after winning Styrian Grand PrixHamilton eager to emulate Tommie Smith and John CarlosLewis Hamilton has said that making the black power salute at last week’s Styrian
Grand Prix felt as if it was a pivotal moment for him and one he would never forget. The world champion won the race in Austria and stood with his fist raised on the podium, inspired by the actions of Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics. Speaking before this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix he said his intent remained to raise awareness of
racism.
Hamilton has been an outspoken supporter of anti-racism and the Black Lives Matter movement, speaking out on the subject since the killing of George Floyd. He remains Formula One’s only black driver and led the initiative for collective action by F1 and for drivers to show their support of anti-racism. He has taken a knee before both grands prix this season and is expected to once more make a gesture on the grid at the Hungaroring. Not all drivers have taken a knee but they have worn “End Racism” T-shirts.