Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton has certainly pushed for the world to be a better place, with the 38-year-old typically making the most of his incredible platform as a Formula 1 driver.
In recent years, Hamilton has been a vocal supporter for ‘Black Lives Matter’, women’s rights and the LGBT community.
Hamilton has used his voice in the countries where awareness is needed the most, most notably in the Middle East.
Women’s rights continue to be lacking in the majority of the Middle East, whilst same-sex marriage remains illegal.
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Hamilton finds it “mind-blowing” that both remain such a big issue in the Middle East, with thousands in the area having “laws” stopping them from being “their true selves”.
The Mercedes star is determined to continue using his voice when racing in the Middle East, even if they “throw me in jail”.
“For me, it’s mind-blowing that we live in a time still [where there are] particularly lots of human rights issues in the Middle East – [with] women’s rights, LGBT rights, and there are laws that restrict people from being their true selves,” Hamilton said in a video on Mercedes’ YouTube channel.
“I’ve always been a risk taker, and I was like ‘I’m going to do this whether or not they’re going to throw me in jail, I don’t care what they’re going to do. I’m going to stand up for something that I believe in, even if it kills me.”
Hamilton’s motivation to raise awareness for the likes of women’s rights and the LGBT community in the Middle East is making the governments in those countries feel “on edge”, with the driver pushing for conversations to be had to make the area more positive.
“I know that sounds crazy but it’s like I’ve got to do it,” he added.
“I need to show people how important it is and spark those conversations out there, and put those in power on edge and feel that they need to have conversations about making change because it brings negativity to their country.”
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Hamilton famously wore a stunning LGBT-themed helmet at the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix, a country where serious issues remain over women’s rights and LGBT rights.
In the YouTube video, Hamilton shared how he knew winning the race would “make the biggest bang”, with him having been “really proud” of achieving his goal in Losail.
“So I did it and I won the race, and my drive was like, I’ve got to get to the top of the podium because that will make the biggest bang and the biggest awareness for it, and I did, so I was really proud of it,” Hamilton said.