Isn't it time we gave Lewis Hamilton more respect?

Lewis Hamilton

Isn't it time we gave Lewis Hamilton more respect?

It's one rule for him...

Paul Macdonald

Tuesday 16 July 2019 14:00 Updated: 17:02

If you are looking for a sportsperson who can transcend their discipline and be a fitting representative for your values around the world, you can’t do much better than Lewis Hamilton. He is a superb ambassador, a brilliant driver, and he continues to keep fans engaged with motorsport.

So why is he still treated with such disrespect?

Let’s get some irrelevancies out of the way first. There are some unfortunate moments from Hamilton’s back catalogue which can register a cringe; the juxtaposition between his environmental reasoning for turning vegan, while also spending £16m on a private jet - a literal emissions machine; his unfortunate description of Stevenage, his home town, and its ‘slums’ while attending the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award (one that he immediately corrected) and his insensitive comments to his nephew upon discovering him wearing a dress. So he’s far from gaffe-free.

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But in the scheme of his achievements, minor infractions such as these are totally meaningless. Yet at his home British Grand Prix this weekend, he was forced to field the type of unconventional questioning that only Hamilton seems to attract.

Firstly, he was asked why people were keen to question his ‘Britishness’, given his residence in Monaco and houses in the US, a bizarre, loaded question that he did well to respond to with a positive stance.

Here's @LewisHamilton being asked about his Britishness by the Guardian's journalist. #BritishGP 🇬🇧 #Silverstone #F1 🏎 pic.twitter.com/1ijc7Dmody
— Mr Lawrence🇬🇧🇬🇩 (@Mr_Lawrence4) July 13, 2019

He replied: "I feel like every day is an opportunity to try and turn those who have a negative view on things. I go to all these races and lift the British flag proudly. There's no-one else in this sport that's raised it so high.

"For now maybe I've not done enough, I'll keep looking out for what else I can do. For those who do follow me, I do really appreciate their support."

A man who drove around Silverstone with a Union Jack emblazoned on his helmet, and who regularly drapes himself in the flag upon victory, had his heritage questioned on the basis of where he resides. Not only does this transparent double standard not apply to the countless other celebrities and sports stars who leave Britain for their own reasons, it doesn’t even stand up to the scrutiny of other British F1 drivers - such as Jenson Button, David Coulthard and Johnny Herbert - who all moved to Monaco and who would never be subjected to such spurious lines of inquiry.

Even his ‘Americanised’ accent was up for debate, as was his decision to travel to Los Angeles then back before arriving at Silverstone. Nico Rosberg commented that he would struggle to break the top 10 on the grid with such a commute, and this was doubled down on in the press conference. Should Lewis be ‘partying in LA’ before such an important race? Once again he remained mature, but forceful, in his response.

View this post on Instagram

I can’t tell you how incredible this feels guys. Everyone’s support and energy out there, that was crazy. I can’t express how grateful I am to all the fans, and to my incredible team. We’ve worked really hard for this. The British Grand Prix means so much to me and to have a sixth win here at Silverstone, in front of all the home fans, this moment will stay with me for the rest of my life. Thanks for the positive energy everyone, we did this together 🙏🏾 #wewinandwelosetogether

A post shared by Lewis Hamilton (@lewishamilton) on Jul 14, 2019 at 1:53pm PDT

"I do have five world titles and they didn't come on their own,” he said.

“I prepare the best I can but I do what I want, I don't do what you think I should do or anyone else thinks I should do, and that's what has led me to five world titles."

Hamilton is, probably, the most interviewed sports star, at the top of his game, in the world. Just about every press commitment at every race, he is there, civil, well-spoken and enthusiastic about F1. And there’s nothing wrong with wanting to find out more about a man who is already among the greatest drivers of all time.

But there’s a weird British trait that likes people to be successful… but not too successful, now. Remember where you are from, and don’t get ahead of yourself.

And it intensifies when it comes to Hamilton. He’s living a lifestyle no different to any other rich F1 star, but is the only one called out on it. Toto Wolff was even forced to defend him, saying: “I realised very early on that giving him the freedom of pursuing his interests, we were able to extract more performance on track.

"I have the feeling that he needs to get his mind off motor racing. He forgets about the racing side, and he can come back stronger and more energised."

Hamilton, five-time world champion and huge odds on to make it six, doesn’t need to explain himself to Wolff, so why should he explain himself to anyone else? In a weekend where cricket’s hero of the hour, Ben Stokes, has a far more chequered history than Hamilton, the coverage is striking. It’s talk of redemption, and making things right. Hamilton, in comparison, seems like he should be apologising for simply being him. If that is racially motivated or not in an overwhelmingly white sport, maybe Rio Ferdinand can be the judge.

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Lewis Hamilton facing jibes over his Britishness !!! When he lifts the titles he is reported very British...but on the way to winning, throughout the year his patriotism is questioned. Why??? The usual questions are “but you live in Monaco....your accent isn’t totally British...your lifestyle travelling and fashion choices....” Firstly, most F1 drivers live in Monaco including the likes of our other former world champion Jenson Button. Was Jenson’s britishness ever questioned for living in Monaco?? Not a chance. I will tell you why - because he looked similar, sounded similar, dressed similar & walked similar to the people who raise these questions of Hamilton. The level of disrespect & racist undertones in questioning Hamilton’s Patriotism should not be underestimated. He prepares diligently (Five world titles tells you that), has a working formula that works for him in his down time & after proving time and time again that his preparation for racing is perfect for him, even if it means flying in from LA where he was out and about then so be it. Do I like all of the clothes Lewis Hamilton wears, the hairstyles, his music choices etc...maybe not but do I question his Britishness?? No, of course not because he is embracing young culture and experimenting like everyone does in his own way and we should be saying good luck to him I say. If all these interests outside F1 were hindering his performances then I would get the questions on his lifestyle but he is breaking records and could well win his sixth world title this year! If you can enjoy your life doing things YOUR WAY, AND WIN, then you are really really winning in life as a British sportsman - but don’t forget to talk very British, dress very British, and most importantly live in the UK otherwise there will be questions on your patriotism! We should all celebrate a champion who is One Of Our Own! @lewishamilton #F1

A post shared by Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) on Jul 14, 2019 at 4:01am PDT

And Hamilton does not just represent diversity of race but diversity of background. In an era where financial backing and nepotism is more prevalent than ever, his modest beginnings still serve as an inspiration for what’s possible. That is not nearly embraced enough.

So I’ll ask again - what is it about Hamilton you really don’t like?