F1 STAR SUPPORTS PROTESTS

Lewis Hamilton, who holds a commanding lead over Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in the chase for the Formula One championship, fended off speculation he might take a knee when the American national anthem is played before Sunday’s race in Austin. Hamilton, the only black driver in Formula One, said he supports the demonstration that began as a protest over treatment of minorities by police that has roiled the NFL and drawn heavy criticism from President Trump. But when asked if he would kneel Sunday, the British driver said “I don’t have any plans” and was concentrating on the race. “I know black and white people that live here in America, so I get quite a view of what’s happening here in the States,” Hamilton said, calling the protest movement “awesome.”