F1 Fan Confidence Shaken After Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel Expose Racism

The fan perception of F1 looks like it's hit rock bottom after a report of racism within teams from Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton emerged earlier this week.

In a recent discussion about the ongoing struggle with racism in motorsports and the wider society, Lewis Hamilton, the acclaimed seven-time F1 champion, revealed that it's a lot worse than fans initially expected.

In his conversation with DAZN News, the eminent British racer expressed his admiration for Sebastian Vettel's courage to stand up against racism, more than any other driver. He shared his thoughts, saying:

"We have to get people to empathise against racism. We need empathy. Sometimes I wonder, doesn't anyone else care?

"Sebastian Vettel was one of those who supported me the most. He told me that some teams spoke racist things about me. He knelt with me in 2020, I have not yet seen a driver as brave as him.

"You have to change the laws so that people live better. We are risking our lives to try to educate others," says Lewis.

Hamilton used the platform to speak about his persistent efforts in promoting diversity and inclusivity in the world of motorsports. Moreover, Hamilton hinted at a potential new venture, although he is unsure what exactly that might look like. He continued:

“I don't know what my next project will be. Animal protection laws have to continue to be reviewed, with the environment, it is difficult for people to see the disasters that occur.

"I have 'Mission 44', a project that I launched in London and I want to expand it to Africa and the US with which we want to instill in children that they can have a good future, that they can become engineers or whatever they want."

After this news was released, a furry of tweets and other social media posts swamped the internet with fans complaining.

"This sport is f*cking racist and I’m absolutely so bored of arguing with RACIST PEOPLE WHO SO HAPPEN TO BE FANS OF THIS SPORT about it. Quite how you think that racism exists outside in the real world but not in the super white, super elites bubble of F1 is beyond me lol," one fan posted to Twitter. [sic]

This sport is f*cking racist and I’m absolutely so bored of arguing with RACIST PEOPLE WHO SO HAPPEN TO BE FANS OF THIS SPORT about it.

Quite how you think that racism exists outside in the real world but not in the super white, super elites bubble of F1 is beyond me lol
— Quick Stop F1 Podcast (@QuickStopF1) July 18, 2023

Another added, referencing Ugo Ugochukwu, currently in McLaren's driver development program.

"I'll definitely be stepping away after Lewis leaves. Be back when Ugo makes it. lord help him for the shit he may have to deal with." [sic]

A third stated:

"I wouldn't say the sport it racist, I think there's leftovers from Bernie, who 100% is a racist, that are only now being addressed. If Helmut isn't a racist, then he does a very good impression of one, but I wouldn't tar Red Bull or the sport because of a couple of individuals.." [sic]

These are only three of countless tweets regarding the racism within F1, and it certainly looks as though the confidence in the sport, or at least its management, is starting to wane.