Ferrari Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton believes the sport is yet to evolve in many areas, especially those surrounding employee salaries, driver contract terms, and the lack of diversity in the paddock.
Hamilton has been known to lead several initiatives outside of F1, especially those related to social issues. Now, he has addressed topics that need urgent attention in the sport.
The subject came up in an interview with Belgian publication RTBF during the race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, where the seven-time world champion was asked if he was looking forward to leaving behind a legacy in the premier class of motorsport when he retired. Hamilton’s response was quoted by Planet F1, which stated:
“Today, I think differently. There have been so many great drivers; every era has always had its No. 1, so it matters less to me today. What I focus on is what I can contribute concretely.”
Hamilton then went on to highlight the areas in F1 that need work, which are not only limited to employee earnings and diversity in the sport, but also smaller operational aspects where even a small change could bring about a big difference. He added:
“I also think that the F1 system needs to evolve. Drivers are bound by contracts that prevent them from talking to other teams. They can’t even talk to other teams.
“F1 has grown enormously, with revenues skyrocketing from £700 million to over £3 billion. This growth is not reflected in all employees’ salaries, which have not kept pace with the business.”
He added:
“There is still a significant lack of diversity in the paddock, and many things still need to change in our sport. In the past, drivers like Niki Lauda pushed for greater safety. Today, we need to create more access and more opportunities.
“When we visit all these countries, we must avoid leaving a mess behind. There should be upcycling and a proper recycling system. Every weekend, food is wasted. Meanwhile, people are dying of hunger. We can work with food banks to redistribute it.
“There are so many positive things we can do here. Not everything has been done yet, and that’s normal. It’s not about being perfect, but about making progress every year.”
Hamilton then opened up on the influence he has on people who make key decisions, stressing that he was not in F1 to only “shut up and drive,” but also to have “difficult conversations” that could bring about a positive change. He said:
“I think that’s my role; I can get into the right rooms. Sometimes people tell me, ‘Shut up and drive.’ But that’s not me. I drive, yes, but I also do more. I can meet with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom or even a president if necessary. I can enter important rooms and have difficult conversations. That’s just how I am, and that’s how I’ll continue to be.”
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