June 19, 2022; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Britain’s Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton stands during the national anthem after finishing third in the Montreal Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images ESPN reported Thursday that Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton understands Formula 1’s goal of eliminating foul language from team radio, but is offended by the way the situation was portrayed.
Hamilton called it “racist stereotypes” and took issue with FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem’s comments on team radio, calling the abusive language “rap music”.
“We have to differentiate between motorsport and rap music,” Ben Soulaem told Motorsport.
“We’re not rappers. How many times a minute do they say the F-word? That’s not who we are. They are who they are and we are (us).”
As F1’s popularity continues to grow, especially in the United States during the circuit’s 75th season, there are more eyes and ears on the broadcast. Live team radio communications between drivers and pit crews are used for broadcast.
“I don’t like the way he phrases it, the way he says rappers are very stereotypical,” said Hamilton, who is black and originally from Britain. “Most people think rappers are black. When they say we’re different, it’s a really kind way of pointing that out.
“So I think that was a poor choice of words. There’s a racial component to it. But like I said, I agree that (it) needs to be cleaned up a little bit.”
Hamilton, 39, has admitted he was wrong to use harsh language on team radio when he was a young driver, but the seven-time world champion says he has matured and is in his 18th F1 season.
“I’m sure if there was a penalty, people would stop,” Hamilton said. “I don’t know if that’s necessary. I think (the offensive language) is a little too much.”
Hamilton currently sits sixth in the drivers’ standings ahead of this week’s Singapore Grand Prix. He has won two races this season, the British Grand Prix on July 7 and the Belgian Grand Prix on July 28.
Including this week’s race, there are seven more races scheduled for the F1 season, two of which are in the United States: October 20 in Austin, Texas, and November 23 in Las Vegas.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen currently leads the drivers’ points standings and is closing in on a fourth consecutive title.
–Field level media
