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The new seven-time F1 world champion spoke to Sky Sports F1 after clinching the 2020 title about how the events of a unique year led him to want to reach greater heights on and off the track.
By James Galloway
Last Updated: 11/16/20 1:10 pm
7:52
In an exclusive chat with Sky Sports F1, Lewis Hamilton reflects on his season, the lockdown and his campaign for social justice after clinching his seventh F1 title.
Lewis Hamilton says he has channeled the Black Lives Matter movement and the desire for Formula 1 to be a force for good in the world in his driving during his sensational seventh F1 title-winning season, which equals the record, admitting that he has “another fire burning” inside. the.
Hamilton claimed the title of the most successful racing driver of all time at the Turkish GP by equaling Michael Schumacher’s seven world titles in a year that also held the record for the most racing victories of all. the times.
But going hand in hand with the Mercedes driver’s unprecedented sporting achievement has been the prominent role he has assumed in calling for racial justice and a more diverse society, both within motorsport and in the world at large.
And speaking openly to Sky Sports F1 In the hours after becoming a seven-time champion Sunday night, Hamilton explained why this year’s challenging events had inspired him to help drive lasting change, and why he believes the sport can play a leadership role. in that.
“Every two years I’ve been here, you’re a man on a mission,” Hamilton said. “Of course, with a large group of people. There is a championship for teams to win and then there is one for drivers and it takes everything, a lot of sacrifice in the year to be at your best level throughout the year.
“It’s a pretty lonely fight in that sense, as you’re fighting for that world title. This year has been so different in the challenge we’ve had with Covid and not just that, when we see Black Lives’ movement of matter. That really. for me it gave me so much momentum and focus and I realized ‘hey we really have to use this platform we have’ which is amazing.
“There are many organizations in the world that turn a blind eye to many things that are happening and use the excuse that they are political. Human rights are not a political issue. Human rights must be equal for everyone.
0:55 Lewis Hamilton delivered an emotional message to his team and fans after securing a record-equaling seventh world title.
“We go to all these counties where that’s a problem and we don’t have to shut down those areas; we have to figure out how we can get more involved and how we can really use the platforms to encourage and drive change.
“That’s what has been a real boost for me this year and they have seen it come out in my driving because now I have another fire burning. Even though I have this championship, there is still another great victory, but it is going to take all together.”
Hamilton on the negatives and positives of his 2020 ‘bubble’
One of the most significant impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on Hamilton’s record season has been the fact that he has had to minimize social interaction both during and outside of race weekends. Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, said his two drivers lived like “hermits” to minimize the risk of contracting Covid-19.
1:18 Damon Hill says it’s remarkable how seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has been able to produce such high standards season after season.
“It was very tough, that’s for sure,” admitted the world champion.
“Blockade, I’m not going to lie, it hasn’t been fun for anyone. But I would say for me, being in a bubble in the championship, it has been horrible. I’m so lucky to have Angela.” [Cullen, Hamilton’s physiotherapist] and Roscoe, but I haven’t had anyone in my bubble this year, I haven’t really been around anyone. I haven’t been out to dinner, I haven’t been socializing at all, and that has been quite a challenge.
“But on the other hand, I’ve been on a lot of Zoom calls with Formula 1, with the team behind Formula 1, with the FIA, with Jean.” [Todt], with Chase [Carey], with Ross [Brawn], talking about what we can do as a sport to do more. So it has definitely given me time to work on things that I didn’t have time to do before, and to reflect on certain things and what I want to do, and what I can do, with the voice and platform that I have. “
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