FIA take action over 'Lewis Hamilton-type' t-shirts

Formula 1

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FIA take action over 'Lewis Hamilton-type' t-shirts

Ian Parkes

Sunday 27 September 2020 10:33

The FIA has tightened up its procedures regarding the wearing of message-bearing clothing pre- and post-race in light of Lewis Hamilton's controversial t-shirt worn at the recent Tuscan Grand Prix.

During the pre-race anti-racism demonstration at Mugello, and again in a tv interview and as he stood on the podium, Hamilton wore a t-shirt with the message 'Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor'. On the rear, there was a picture of Taylor and the words 'Say her name'.

The 26-year-old medical worker was shot and killed in March by plain-clothes police officers who mistakenly raided her home in Louisville, Kentucky.

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After taking the matter "under active consideration", the FIA has informed the drivers as to what is now allowed.

In a document sent to all teams and officials entitled 'Race Directors Note - Pre-Race Procedure', it states: "The FIA, Formula 1, teams and drivers stand united as a sport in the fight to end racism and fully support equality, inclusivity and equal opportunity for all.

"The FIA supports any form of individual expression in accordance with the fundamental principles of its Statutes, and as a mark of respect each driver, as an individual, may choose to mark this moment with their own gesture."

It adds: "Each driver wearing their black coloured ‘end racism’ t-shirts will walk to the carpet runner, with the ‘end racism’ banner placed across the width of the track, and stand by their name card."

Gestures include: 'taking the knee; standing on carpet with arms crossed in front or behind them; standing on carpet and bow head; standing on carpet and pointing to the words ‘end racism’ on their t-shirts; standing on carpet and place their hand on the heart'.

In a second document relating to 'Post-Race Procedure', the requirement is more stringent as it states: "For the duration of the podium ceremony and post-race interview procedure, the drivers finishing in a race in positions 1, 2, 3 must remain attired only in their driving suits, 'done up' to the neck, not opened to the waist. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes a medical face mask or team-branded face mask."

It further adds: "For the duration of the TV pen interviews and FIA post-race press conference, all drivers finishing must remain attired in their respective teams’ uniform only. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes a medical face mask or team-branded face mask."

Mercedes driver Hamilton claimed earlier this week he had no regrets over his 'Breonna Taylor' t-shirt, and suggested he may yet flout the new guidelines.

At the time he said: "I know what they [the FIA] are going to do this weekend, but lots of rules have been written for me over the years, and that hasn't stopped me."