Hamilton Sr calls on F1 to 'take a knee' with son Lewis

Lewis Hamilton

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Hamilton Sr calls on F1 to 'take a knee' with son Lewis

Six-time champion proclaimed "a mould breaker" for recent powerful statements

Ian Parkes

Tuesday 16 June 2020 12:06 Updated: 12:10

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Anthony Hamilton has hailed son Lewis as "an iconic role model" following the six-time Formula 1 champion's powerful statements in support of Black Lives Matter.

Hamilton Sr has also called on F1, as a sport, to 'take a knee' when racing resumes in July, not only out of respect for the anti-racism movement but also for all those affected this year by Covid-19.

Hamilton Sr's comments, in particular, follow a series of compelling posts from his son on social media in recent weeks after the death in the United States of George Floyd, who was killed by a white policeman in Minneapolis last month.

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Turning to his millions of followers on Instagram and Twitter, Hamilton initially expressed his dismay at the silence that emanated from within F1, claiming that in a white-dominated sport he stood alone, and declaring 'I see you' to those not speaking out.

Speaking to GPFans, Hamilton said: "I think what Lewis is doing is amazing. He does stand alone and is not afraid to put his head above the parapet for something that he believes in.

"I'm sitting back and reading his comments and thinking 'Wow! That's powerful'. I am absolutely extremely proud of him because when I saw Lewis' comments I thought it was supremely powerful.

"I'm not surprised it's come from Lewis because he is a mould breaker. I just thought what an iconic role model he is in terms of speaking up for what he believes in. The surprise was that no-one else had done or said anything before him.

"When I saw that, it kind of reminded me of the most powerful statements of the last 100 years - I see you! How powerful is that?

"It will touch a nerve in all of us because actually he does see us, that no one had done anything. When he said that I thought 'Actually, he is quite right'. No one in the sport had done anything.

"So I'm extremely proud of him for actually bringing it to the fore."

The suggestion is, as a public show of support for Black Lives Matter, Hamilton will now 'take a knee' ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix on July 5.

Hamilton Sr feels it should not fall on his son's shoulders alone to make such a point, and that the rest of the F1 community should join in, bringing to the watching world's attention such a campaign, but also remembering those whose lives have been taken by the pandemic.

"It shouldn't be about Lewis, it should be about F1. Let's hope F1 take a knee," added Hamilton.

"It should be F1, the FIA, saying 'At the first race, let's take a knee, not just in support of Black Lives Matter, but for everyone who has suffered and is suffering from Covid.

"To say thank you very much to the doctors, nurses and other key workers that have put their lives on the line, that we are thinking of everyone affected.

"So I don't think taking a knee is Lewis' responsibility. It's F1's responsibility to take a knee."

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