Lewis Hamilton says he’s faced racist abuse since age 8 and blasts F1 fans who ‘blacked up’ to look like him
LEWIS Hamilton has revealed he's been the target of racial abuse since he was eight years old, while continually being accused of "not being British enough."
Britain's most successful F1 driver in history said that children would throw objects at him when he was karting as a kid, and that 'fans' would taunt him in blackface at the beginning of his career.
The 35-year-old six-time world champion has said that British society is riddled with an "implicit bias" because too many people stay silent.
Hamilton has opened up about his own experiences with racism following the response to the Black Lives Matter movement which has triggered protests across the globe.
He remains the only black driver in racing.
The Monaco-based Brit told the : "For me, and so many others around the world, seeing George Floyd’s murder triggered a sense of deep pain, anguish and frustration.
"As a nation, we’re quick to condemn monkey noises and bananas thrown at black footballers, but when it comes to addressing structural racial issues, the people in power stay silent.
"Injustice prevails when you remain neutral."
Hamilton said that the injustice surrounding George Floyd's death in Minneapolis unleashed memories he thought he'd suppressed surrounding racism.
'NOT BRITISH ENOUGH'
He added: "This is not a new battle for me.
"I’ve been fighting the stigma of racism throughout my racing career — from kids throwing things at me while karting, to being taunted by fans in blackface at a 2007 grand prix, one of my first Formula One races."
In his professional life, the 35-year-old claims that he's treated differently in the F1 community, and that "only one type of person is truly welcome in the sport, one who looks a certain way."
He added: "Even now, the media ask me different questions than they do my competitors and make accusations directly and indirectly — you’re not British enough, not humble enough, not loved enough by the public.
"Being the first black “anything” is a proud and lonely walk.
"When I first started out, I took my father’s advice to work twice as hard, keep my head down, my mouth shut and let my driving do the talking.
"It was only when wearing my helmet that I felt free to be myself."
Hamilton is expected to take the knee when he returns to the race track in Austria in two weeks, to show his support for Black Lives Matter.
He also has revealed plans to set up a commission in his name to increase diversity in motorsports and wants to "channel my energy, influence and investment to create a more inclusive world."
Hamilton also believes that education will be the way forward to treating racial injustice: "Education is the leveller, the path to opportunity.
"Education on racism has to happen on several levels, and it has to happen now.
When it comes to addressing structural racial issues, the people in power stay silent.
Lewis Hamilton
"We have a lot to learn as individuals, media, businesses and government, myself included."
The F1 driver grew up in Stevenage, Hertfordshire to a black British father, Anthony, and a white mother, Carmen Larbalestier.
Hamilton did not have the easiest start to life with his parents splitting when he was a toddler, being bullied at school, growing up in a council house and then moving in with his dad aged 12.
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The former Peartree Junior School and John Henry Newman School pupil recently revealed how he struggled with dyslexia throughout his younger years.
Nonetheless, driving legend topped this year's Sunday Times rich list, overtaking David Beckham's all-time high.
