Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, has accused FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem of making racially insensitive remarks. Hamilton’s criticism stems from Ben Sulayem’s recent comments regarding drivers swearing during races.
In an interview with motorsport.com, Ben Sulayem stated that drivers have a responsibility to refrain from swearing over the radio, drawing a comparison between motorsport and rap music. He said, “We have to differentiate between our sport — motorsport — and rap music… We’re not rappers, you know.”
Reacting to these comments ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Hamilton expressed his disapproval, saying, “With what he said, I don’t like how he has expressed it. Saying ‘rappers’ is very stereotypical. If you think about it, most rappers are black. So it says, ‘We are not like them.’ So I think those are the wrong choice of words and there is a racial element there.”
Hamilton’s statement highlights the potential for unintended bias in Ben Sulayem’s remarks, drawing attention to the problematic nature of making generalizations based on race and stereotypes. The incident has sparked a conversation about sensitivity and inclusivity within the world of Formula 1.
