‘Toto is sorting it’: Hamilton suggests Mercedes could drop controversial sponsor

Sir Lewis Hamilton stressed that he played no role in Mercedes signing Kingspan as a sponsor.

Sir Lewis Hamilton has suggested that the Mercedes F1 Team could drop Kingspan as a sponsor, just a week or so after they announced the Ireland-based building materials company as their newest partner.

The partnership quickly sparked backlash, as Kingspan was accused of playing a “central role” in the Grenfell Tower fire – which occurred in 2017 and resulted in the death of over 70 residents – as it had supplied the insulation that was used in the building.

Hamilton, given his activism in recent years and his public support for the victims of the Grenfell tragedy, was criticised for not intervening to prevent the deal.

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The Brit has stressed that he wasn’t involved in the partnership being inked in any way, and he suggested the sponsorship deal could be shelved in light of the backlash.

“Tommy was the only one I brought to the team. It was news to me when I heard the things that happened this week,” Hamilton said, as quoted by Motorsport.com.

“I was very much aware and watching very closely all the families that were affected by what happened there.

“We know there has been a huge outcry and an amazing amount of support from people, from the community around there. So as I said, this really doesn’t have anything to do with me.

“I know Toto is sorting it. Unfortunately my name is associated with it because it’s put on that car. But whether that remains the same, we shall see,” he added. 

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