Hamilton has no plans to boycott the Belgian Grand Prix

As a growing number of professional athletes refuse to participate in any sporting events in the United States in the wake of a new violent clash between white police officers and an African-American citizen, Lewis Hamilton explained why he had no intention of boycotting the Belgian Grand Prix this Sunday. 

The United States is currently experiencing a new outbreak of protests and riots after Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old African-American, was shot 7 times in the back by a police officer in the city of Kenosha in the state of Wisconsin.

This incident, which comes 3 months after the suffocation death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police in Minnesota, further revives tensions in a country on edge against the backdrop of a health crisis and a bitter presidential election. fired. 

The treatment suffered by Jacob Blake led to immediate reactions in the world of North American sports. While the NBA playoffs (basketball) started in the Orlando bubble (Florida), the Milwaukee Bucks team started the machine by purely and simply boycotting the match it was to play against the Orlando Magic. 

Several NBA meetings were subsequently postponed. Then, women's basketball, football, and baseball games were canceled after athletes chose to show their solidarity by refusing to compete. Several NFL teams, the American football championship which has not yet resumed, have decided not to train. 

Naomi Osaka, former world number 1 tennis player of Japanese and Hawaiian origin, withdrew from the Western & Southern Open tournament where she had just reached the semi-finals.

Since the start of the season Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton has continued to show his support for the Black Lives Matter movement which fights racial inequalities and urges Formula 1 to do more to promote people from minorities. 

Given the involvement of the six-time world champion in the social and political arena, it was not completely unfounded to imagine that he could refuse to line up at the start of the Belgian Grand Prix. Asked about the subject ahead of the race at Spa-Francorchamps, Hamilton suggested that he would hold his place this Sunday.

« What people in the United States are doing is simply incredible, whether it's athletes, commentators, or promoters., he declared in the preamble. Everyone is pushing together in the same direction so that change can happen. It's a shame that it has to come to this to make things happen in the USA. 

But the situation concerns the United States and I don't know if any action on my part here in Belgium would have an impact. I haven't spoken with anyone on the subject yet but I'm really proud of the people who are fighting. I am united with them. 

I try to make my contribution on this side of the Atlantic. I will continue to challenge F1 to see what we can accomplish to raise awareness. As a sport, our positions must be aligned; we must support each other ». 

Before him, Sebastian Vettel, who has openly supported Hamilton's fight since the 1st Grand Prix, had made similar remarks, affirming that the current boycott was specific to the United States. The pilot Ferrari however, recalled that F1 drivers remained united in their fight against racism. 

« We want to continue to carry our message, declared the four-time world champion. We know that things don't change overnight and that our contribution is minimal but I hope that all viewers understand the meaning of our action and integrate our message into the next steps of their personal lives ».