The fame and notoriety that comes with being a seven-time world champion is something that can be used in many different ways, depending on the person’s intentions.
It would be very easy to sit back and reap the benefits of being so famous and admired, becoming somewhat of a superstar celebrity and sporting icon.
Lewis Hamilton does anything but sit back however, as he recognises that the platform that he has gives him an amazing opportunity to project the need for change in the world.
The Brit can often be found sharing posts through his social media accounts to his huge following which highlight problems in the world and push for change.
READ: Alpine offer first look at 2023 F1 car
On his debut podcast appearance on the On Purpose podcast with Jay Shetty, Hamilton revealed that he has even had an impact on his boss, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, by having difficult conversations with him.
“One of the things he bring up that he said hit him hard,” he began.
“I said, ‘have you ever thought of, as a white person walking into the race weekend paddock, and being the only white person there?’ He’s like, ‘I hadn’t even thought of that’. And I said, ‘well that’s what it’s like, for someone like me, when I’m in the room’.
“You notice that out of 50 people in a meeting, you’re the only black person there. And it’s not because we are less, it’s because there are these barriers within society through education, that are limiting people to be the best they can be. So my job is to be empowering and improving representation.”
READ: Audi take major step towards Formula 1 entry
Hamilton’s quest for justice and equality is not just limited to off the track, as the 38-year-old has made a number of high-profile political gestures at various race weekends.
With regards to race, Hamilton has worn ‘Black Lives Matter’ t-shirts to races and taken the knee during the pre-race ceremonies, both of which were very powerful and topical following the murder of George Floyd.
Hamilton will have to be more careful with his protests in 2023 however, as the FIA have now banned any political gestures that have not been approved prior to the race.