Lewis sparks new race row
LEWIS HAMILTON has hit out at the lack of diversity in Formula One sparking a race row on the eve of the new season.
The four-time world champion posted a video on his Instagram account showing the paddock in Melbourne. And the accompanying words said: “There is barely any diversity in Formula One.
“Still nothing has changed in 11 years here. Kids, people, there are so many jobs in this sport in which anybody, no matter their ethnicity or background can make it and fit in.”
F1 chiefs did not comment when asked for a response to Hamilton’s claims. But Red Bull team chief Christian Horner responded by saying: ‘I haven’t counted the demographics but Formula One is multicultural.”
And in an off-mic response to a question to Sebastian Vettel about pressure at the official press conference yesterday, Hamilton said: “Black don’t crack.”
Hamilton was also caught up in a race row after finishing sixth at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2011 when he was angry with stewards. He said back then: “It’s an absolute joke. I’ve been to see the stewards five times out of six THE SCOUT this season. Maybe it’s because I’m black. That’s what Ali G says.”
Hamilton has also hit back at his former Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, who claimed his old foe could be inconsistent.
The German, in his new role as a Sky Sports pundit having retired after beating Hamilton to the title in 2016, said there were “periods when he was not on it”.
But Hamilton said: “I think I proved that wasn’t the case last year. I think there are a lot of people that need to get headlines.
“The goal this year is to be even more consistent than I was last year. But my consistency was the reason why I won the world championship last year.”
Hamilton also revealed he has been inspired by F1’s first official theme tune, which will be played before each live television feed in an attempt to emulate the Champions League introduction.
He added: “I just heard the new anthem and it reminded me of ‘Gladiators’. It’s a programme I used to watch on a Saturday night when I was a kid – so we will be the new Gladiators.
“I hope I haven’t reached my peak yet. I’m sure there is a peak when it gets harder to reach the fitness levels we have today and your interest starts to decline and your drive starts to decline.
“I guess that’s when you’re over your peak but I definitely don’t feel I’m at that stage. “I’m in a good range right now and I need to extract the most I can
from it.”