No FIA investigation over F1 champion Hamilton’s T-shirt
Formula 1’s governing body will not launch an investigation over Lewis Hamilton’s decision to wear a T-shirt at the Tuscan Grand Prix that highlighted police brutality.
The move drew the attention of the FIA but it is understood that a formal investigation will not take place.
Article 1.2 of the FIA International Sporting Code states that competitors are not allowed to affix to their cars “advertising that is political or religious in nature or that is prejudicial to the interests of the FIA”, though there is no apparent clarification to what drivers can display themselves.
A review into its guidelines over what may and may not be worn by drivers during pre- and post-race activities is now set to be carried out.
Tuscan Grand Prix race-winner Hamilton wore the T-shirt during F1’s official pre-race anti-racism demonstration, in parc ferme and on the podium following his 90th career victory.
The T-shirt said on the front: “Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor”, while on the back it featured a picture of her face and the words: “Say her name”.
Unlike his fellow F1 drivers who have all worn “End Racism” T-shirts, Hamilton had previously worn one which said “Black Lives Matter”.
Taylor was a 26-year-old black woman who was shot eight times when plain-clothes police officers entered her Kentucky flat in March as part of a drugs investigation.
After entering her apartment during a no-knock search warrant, officers exchanged fire with her partner Kenneth Walker, a licenced gun owner, who believed that the drug raid was a burglary.
More than 25 bullets were fired by the police and Taylor, a medical worker, was shot eight times and died from her injuries. It has not yet been determined whether the officers involved broke the law by using excessive force, or were acting in self-defence.
Mercedes has defended Hamilton in response to posts criticising the Briton of demonstrating a political opinion.
"We're not bringing politics into F1, these are human rights issues that we are trying to highlight and raise awareness of. There's a big difference," the team said.
Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff stressed on Saturday that Hamilton had the organisation’s full support in his bid to highlight racial injustice.
"No question - it is entirely his decision. Whatever he does, we will support,” Wolff explained.
"The team is fighting against any kind of racism and discrimination and it is Lewis's personal fight for Black Lives Matter and with all the support we can give him. It's his call."
In a post on Instagram on Tuesday morning, Hamilton, who is F1’s only black driver, insisted that he “won’t stop” his activism.
“Want you to know that I won’t stop, I won’t let up, I won’t give up on using this platform to shed light on what I believe is right,” he said.
“I want to thank those of you who continue to support me and show love, I am so grateful.
“But this is a journey for all of us to come together and challenge the world on every level of injustice, not only racial.
“We can help make this a better place for our kids and the future generations.”
