Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team will be running an all-black livery on their cars this season in a challenging message against racism.
Reigning builders’ champions have traditionally raced in silver, but will take on the powerful aspect of the delayed campaign starting in Austria this weekend.
Hamilton will open his title defense at the Red Bull Ring in the back of a row with former sports supreme Bernie Ecclestone, who, during a recent television interview, said “many blacks are more racist than whites.” The six-time world champion described Ecclestone’s comments as “sad and disappointing.”
Hamilton has spoken about the Black Lives Matter movement and said he was overcome with anger after the murder of George Floyd by a white cop. He attended an anti-racist march in London this month.
“It is so important that we take advantage of this moment and use it to educate ourselves whether you are an individual, a brand or a company to make significant changes in ensuring equality and inclusion,” said Hamilton. “Personally, I have experienced racism in my life and I have seen my family and friends experience racism, and I am speaking from the heart when I ask for a change.
“When I spoke to [Mercedes chief] Toto Wolff, about my hopes for what we could achieve as a team, said it was so important that we stay together. I would like to greatly thank Toto and the Mercedes board for taking the time to really listen, speak and truly understand my experiences and passion, and for making this important statement that we are ready to change and improve as a business. “
Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas will be wearing a black jumpsuit this year. The message “End Racism” will appear on both cars.
Hamilton said: “We want to build a legacy that goes beyond sport and if we can be the leader and we can start to build more diversity within our own business, it will send such a strong message and give others the confidence to start a dialogue on how they can implement the change. “
Mercedes is also committed to improving diversity within its own riders. The Northamptonshire-based team revealed that 3% of its workforce comes from a minority ethnic group and 12% of its employees are women.
“Racism and discrimination have no place in our society, our sport or our team,” said Wolff. “This is a core belief in Mercedes. But having the right beliefs and the right mindset is not enough if we remain silent.
“We want to use our voice and our global platform to defend respect and equality, and the Silver Arrows will compete in black throughout the 2020 season to show our commitment to greater diversity within our team and our sport. We will not stray from our weaknesses in this area, or the progress we still need to make. Our livery is our public promise to take positive action. “
The season begins in Spielberg on Sunday, with the first of eight grand prizes over 10 weekends.
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