Lewis Hamilton says his decision to support the Black Lives Matter movement gave him “extra drive” to win races this year.
The Formula One Champion is the guest editor for BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme on Boxing Day morning and spoke to Professor David Olusoga about his decision to speak out for Black Lives Matter after the killing of George Floyd.
Hamilton said: “I had this extra drive in me this year to get to the end of those races.
"It was a different drive than what I’ve had in me in the past.
"To get to the end of those races first so that I could utilize that platform (for Black Lives Matter) and shine the light as bright as possible”.
During many Formula One events this year, Hamilton has been seen wearing T-shirts and masks with anti-racism slogans and has taken a knee on the winner’s podium in protest against the killing of George Floyd.
Asked by Olusoga whether he was afraid of how people would react to him taking a public stand, Hamilton said “there is no way that I could stay silent. And once I said that to myself, I didn’t hold any fear”.
Speaking on the programme to Nick Robinson about being the only black Formula One driver and what he would say to people who don’t believe racism is prevalent, Hamilton said “There are many other young kids of colour that deserve the opportunity to progress, have a great education, be an engineer or whatever it is they want.
"But the fact is, the opportunity is not the same for them.”
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