Lewis Hamilton would miss out on equalling F1 title record in exchange for improving diversity

Lewis Hamilton has admitted he would sacrifice equalling the F1 title record in exchange for improving diversity in motorsport.

The British racer is just one Championship crown away from equalling Michael Schumacher’s tally of seven – but has his sights firmly set on the bigger picture after playing a vocal role in the fight against racism.

Despite enjoying a lightning start to the 2020 season, and becoming the firm favourite to win a fourth straight title, Hamilton would be prepared to set aside his personal success to help introduce lasting change.

Lewis Hamilton would exchange a record-equalling seven titles in exchange for more diversity

Hamilton is one world championship crown away from Michael Schumacher’s tally of seven

Hamilton has stepped up to the fore since the F1 campaign began earlier this year, with Black Lives Matter protests sweeping the world and demanding an end to systemic discrimination. 

The 35-year-old has spearheaded the effort behind drivers taking a knee before races while continuing to push for greater diversity, and would be willing for any achievements off the circuit to overshadow his sporting ones.

He told F1TV: ‘I am the only black driver here, for whatever reason, I don’t know why I was chosen to be able to do what I do in the car and it wasn’t somebody else. Things have happened along the way in my life and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I’m in the position I’m in today.

Hamilton has led the way in championing for lasting change amid Black Lives Matter protests

‘There was a point where I was like: “Geez, just me being here is not enough. I’ve got to speak up. I could do more.” If I was to have retired a year ago, maybe nothing would have changed. I don’t know.

‘But what I love to see right now, there is this awakening. There are people slowly [awakening], still not everyone. Still a lot of these teams have not said anything or held themselves accountable. There’s still a lot of people out there. It’s finding the balance and how you engage those people.

‘I hope in 10 years – I don’t want it to be in 20 years’ time – I hope in a short space of time we can see change. I’m seeing people [change] already.

‘You’re seeing [F1 chief executive] Chase [Carey] and the sport. You’re seeing [FIA president] Jean [Todt], who’ve had a chat with and who’s hired a lady from Jamaica, who’s now working on the diversity campaign for the FIA. 

Hamilton has hit out at F1 chiefs after confusion had shrouded drivers taking a knee last month

The take a knee gesture has divided drivers with some instead choosing to stand on the grid

‘So you’re seeing things, but we need to stay on them. And that’s part of my job, being here, I think and that means more to me. Because, if I’m able to look back in a year’s time and think: “Yeah, I won championships but I was a part of helping shift the outlook of this sport and making it more accessible to people all over the world”. I think that would be a great thing to be a part of.’ 

Hamilton remains the only black driver to have competed in F1, and is setting up a commission in his name to examine the reasons behind the stark lack of diversity in motorsport. The reigning champion has also undergone diversity and inclusion training to gain a greater understanding of the equality laid bare globally in recent months.   

But he has also hit out at the disorganisation of F1 chiefs after drivers were given a small amount of time to take a knee before the Hungarian Grand Prix. The gesture has become a popular stance in the efforts against racism, but has divided drivers on the grid. Max Verstappen, Kimi Raikkonen and Charles Leclerc are among those who have instead opted to stand.