Reigning Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has unveiled his new helmet design, changing to a black base color and wearing support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
The only black driver in F1 history, Hamilton has voiced his voice on ongoing worldwide activism against racial injustice, and called on those involved in motorsports to help increase diversity in the industry. .
Mercedes announced Monday that it will change the color of its car from silver to black for the 2020 season as part of its anti-racism message, and will also alter driver suits for Hamilton and teammate Valtteri Bottas.
Hamilton has unveiled his updated helmet design, which changes to a black base, as he had originally planned a white and purple concept.
The new design maintains the purple stripes and includes a series of messages including the Black Lives Matter logo and messages.
Hamilton’s traditional catchphrase ‘Still I Rise’ on the back of the helmet has also been changed to ‘Still We Rise’.
ARE WE STILL RISING? #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/kj2cxElMZ0
– Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) July 2, 2020
“The whole reason my helmet has changed color, the suit and the car too, is all for equality, especially, and it really continues to solidify that message,” Hamilton explained.
“We currently have the microphone and people are beginning to listen. We have an opportunity to push that message and hold people accountable.”
“Formula 1 brands and teams, everyone here must be responsible and be open to educate themselves, be open to understanding why the movement is happening and why we must continue to push for equality around the world.”
“Because it is not good enough. Even if someone tells you that we have been doing something or that we have been trying, they must try harder, because it is still a big problem that the world is fighting, 60 years after Martin Luther King was fighting for that.
“That’s what this is about. I kept the purple of what I was planning to start this season, it’s my favorite color, and yes, I hope you’ll see it when I’m in the car.”
Hamilton will make his first appearance with the new helmet design at opening practice for the Austrian Grand Prix on Friday in Spielberg.
Bottas has also changed the design of his helmet before the start of the season, adding a ‘Stronger Together’ message on the back and a series of joined hands.
# StrongerTogether # VB77 @ MercedesAMGF1 @ F1 pic.twitter.com/ag3uXkWbot
– Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) July 2, 2020
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