Formula 1: To improve diversity, Lewis Hamilton must first acknowledge it

If five-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton wants to improve diversity in the sport, he must start by acknowledging that it already exists.

Five-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton has not made himself a stranger when it comes to issues surrounding politics and political correctness.

When Hamilton was penalized during the 2011 Monaco Grand Prix, he blamed racism, stating that “maybe it’s because I’m black.” On Christmas Day in 2017, he posted a video during which he told his four-year nephew that “boys don’t wear princess dresses”, sparking an outrage from social justice warriors everywhere.

Ahead of the 2018 Formula 1 season, the 34-year-old Briton posted a video on his Instagram story that feature words written over it about pertaining to diversity within the sport. But despite the diversity that is evident within the sport already, his comments about it were not positive.

Here are the words he used over this video, according to ESPN.

"“There’s barely any diversity in F1. Still nothing’s changed in 11 years I’ve been here. Kids, people, there’s so many jobs in this sport of which anybody, no matter your ethnicity or background, can make it and fit in. #diversity #youcandoit”"

After Hamilton tweeted in support of England’s soccer players, who were targeted with racial abuse in Montenegro, Motorsport UK chairman David Richards stated that Hamilton should aim to make diversity his legacy in Formula 1 and that Motorsport UK and the five-time champion have already had discussions pertaining to the matter.

Here is Hamilton’s tweet in support of England’s soccer players.

Here is what Richards had to say about Hamilton making diversity his legacy in Formula 1, according to The Scotsman.

"“We are talking with Lewis and we have had discussions of that nature. I am sure in future years that Lewis is going to be a great ambassador for us in helping to attract and appeal to disadvantaged children in inner cities, who may kick a football around, but the last thing they would ever dream of being able to do is drive a racing car.“We have got to make opportunities available for people like that. I hope Lewis will be supportive of the initiative. It is early days, and Lewis’ priority is to win a couple more world championships, but I am quite certain that he will be looking for a legacy. I hope that will be by assisting us to expand the grassroots level and footprint of motorsport into areas where we haven’t been in the past.”"

There is absolutely nothing wrong with any aspect of Hamilton’s tweet or Richards’s response to Hamilton’s tweet, and there is nothing wrong with his thoughts about Hamilton’s potential diversity-centered legacy within Formula 1, either. In fact, every aspect of this situation in itself is 100% commendable.

But while the subject of diversity does not specifically relate to either politics and political correctness, only Hamilton can ensure that he keeps it that way, and this is something that he needs to do given the fact that he has been urged to make it his legacy in Formula 1.

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Making diversity his legacy in Formula 1 starts by simply acknowledging that it exists within the sport. Unfortunately, Hamilton has struggled mightily to do that thus far.

When he posted the aforementioned controversial video last year, there were 20 drivers representing 15 different countries competing in Formula 1 — 15!! While six of the 20 drivers on last year’s grid have left the sport and six new drivers have joined, there are still 20 drivers representing 15 — 15!! — different countries.

Is this not LITERALLY the definition of diversity, especially as it pertains to one’s culture?

This total doesn’t even factor in any of the other thousands of employees that the sport relies on to make it as successful as it is.

In Hamilton’s rookie season, the 2007 season, a total of 27 drivers competed in the sport, with 18 of those 27 drivers being full-time drivers. These 27 drivers represented 12 different countries, while these 18 full-time drivers represented eight different countries.

Yet we’re supposed to believe that “nothing’s changed”?? A two-year old could tell you that this is false without even thinking twice.

Even looking at those numbers from the 2007 season, the diversity level within Formula 1 was more than impressive, and it has only increased from then to now.

Take a look at Formula 1’s current driver/country breakdown.

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport

• Lewis Hamilton – United Kingdom
• Valtteri Bottas – Finland

Scuderia Ferrari

• Sebastian Vettel – Germany
• Charles Leclerc – Monaco

Aston Martin Red Bull Racing

• Max Verstappen – Netherlands
• Pierre Gasly – France

Renault

• Daniel Ricciardo – Australia
• Nico Hulkenberg – Germany

Rich Energy Haas

• Kevin Magnussen – Denmark
• Romain Grosjean – France

SportPesa Racing Point

• Sergio Perez – Mexico
• Lance Stroll – Canada

McLaren

• Carlos Sainz Jr. – Spain
• Lando Norris – United Kingdom

Alfa Romeo Racing

• Kimi Raikkonen – Finland
• Antonio Giovinazzi – Italy

Scuderia Toro Rosso

• Daniil Kvyat – Russia
• Alexander Albon – Thailand

ROKiT Williams Racing

• Robert Kubica – Poland
• George Russell – United Kingdom

The only thing that Hamilton, the only black driver in Formula 1 history, could possibly be referring to when he talks about Formula 1 lacking diversity and nothing changing in that way is skin color. But the mere suggestion that the color of someone’s skin is the sole driver (no pun intended) of diversity, especially in a diversity-riddled sport, is an insult to the true meaning of the word.

Before you insinuate that this statement is somehow racist, think about it. Then read it again. Twice.

Again, Hamilton is not wrong to want more diversity, and Richards is not wrong to want it to be his legacy in Formula 1. But to make a real difference, Hamilton needs to truly understand the word and appreciate the fact that it already plays such a huge role in the sport.

While Lewis Hamilton’s push for diversity not only within Formula 1 but everywhere is commendable, it will be hard to take it seriously if he cannot even acknowledge the prevalence of the diversity that already exists within his own sport and if he instead continues to choose to focus on the negatives, whatever they are, for a reason or reasons that I and many others have still not yet even begun to understand, and justifiably not.