Lewis Hamilton pledged to redouble his efforts to make Formula One a more inclusive and diverse sport after winning a record-equalling seventh world title.
The British driver, 35, won Sunday’s Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul to equal Michael Schumacher’s seven world championships.
And afterwards, writing on Instagram, Hamilton spoke about ‘another race we’ve yet to win’ in making Formula One and society at large more equal and tolerant.
Lewis Hamilton pledged to continue his crusade to make Formula One a more inclusive and diverse sport after winning a record-equalling seventh world championship
Hamilton holds aloft the Turkish Grand Prix trophy after winning Sunday’s dramatic race
Hamilton and his team give the salute in the pit lane following his seventh world title win
The British driver has pledged to continue his mission to make F1 a more diverse sport
Hamilton has shown his support for the Black Lives Matter movement throughout a season he has dominated on the track.
He has worn BLM t-shirts before races this season and taken a knee on the grid alongside a majority of his fellow racers.
Hamilton also wore a t-shirt that read ‘Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor’ after winning the Tuscan Grand Prix.
Taylor, a 26-year-old black hospital worker, was fatally shot by police during a narcotics raid in the US state of Kentucky in March.
On Sunday, alongside an image of himself giving a clenched fist salute, Hamilton wrote on Instagram: ‘Leading up to today and even after I crossed the line, I’ve been gathering my thoughts about what’s most important to me.
Hamilton has shown his support for the Black Lives Matter movement throughout the season
Hamilton and a number of his fellow drivers have taken a knee ahead of races this year
Hamilton also referenced the shooting of Breonna Taylor in Kentucky, USA after the Tuscan Grand Prix in September
‘This year has been so unpredictable. With the pandemic and obviously the season being pushed back by several months, I had the most downtime I’ve ever had in my life. It gave me the chance to really think about my ultimate purpose.
‘Seven World Championships means the world to me, I can’t even describe how much, but there’s still another race we’ve yet to win.
Hamilton accompanied his picture on Instagram with a message in which he spoke of ‘another race we’ve yet to win’
‘This year I’ve been driven not just by my desire to win on the track, but by a desire to help push our sport, and our world to become more diverse and inclusive. I promise you I am not going to stop fighting for change.
‘We have a long way to go but I will continue to push for equality within our sport, and within the greater world we live in.
‘Equaling Michael Schumacher’s record puts a spotlight on me that I know won’t be here forever. So, while you’re here, paying attention, I want to ask everyone to do their part in helping to create a more equal world.
‘Let’s be more accepting and kinder to each other. Let’s make it so that opportunity is not something that is dependent on background or skin colour.
‘Nothing is impossible. A driving force for me this year has been to set an example for the next generation, to never give up on your dreams.
‘I was told by many that my dream was impossible, yet here I am. I want you to know that you can do it too. Never give up, keep fighting, and let’s keep rising to the occasion. #S7ILLRISING’
Hamilton held his nerve throughout a rain-affected race in Istanbul to convert a sixth-place start on the grid to the victory he needed to secure the championship with three races of the season to spare.
The Briton held his nerve in wet and treacherous conditions to win Sunday’s Turkish Grand Prix
Hamilton himself took to Twitter amid the celebrations to pay tribute to his team and family
The 35-year-old’s emotions continued to pour out as he left his car and was congratulated by his rival drivers and Mercedes crew.
‘I’m a bit lost for words,’ he explained after yet another stunning victory.
‘I think naturally I have to start with saying a huge thank you to all the guys that are here and the guys that are back at our factories.
‘The journey we have been on has been monumental. I want to say a big thank you to team LH for sticking with me all my years and my family.
‘I dreamed of this when I was young. It’s important for kids to dream the impossible and speak it into existence. You’ve got to never give up and never doubt yourself.
‘We knew it was already such a difficult weekend. We knew we were on the back foot and we did the best we could. We learnt a lot. There’s no blame game. We continue to try and improve our communication so we can make moves forward.’
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