LONDON: Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton vowed on Wednesday to continue speaking out despite Formula One's governing body clamping down on drivers making "political" statements.
The most successful driver in the sport's history has used his platform to highlight racial injustice, promote diversity and address a range of issues from the environment to human rights.
The governing FIA updated its International Sporting Code last December requiring prior written permission to make or display "political, religious and personal statements or comments" at races.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, an Emirati who has since said he will stand back from day-to-day affairs in Formula One, said also he did not want to provide "a platform for private personal agenda".
The move has been criticised by a string of drivers as well as rights groups.
"I wasn't really watching the news over the winter but I heard it," Hamilton, 38, told reporters in a video call after the launch of his Mercedes team's new W14 racecar at Silverstone.
"It doesn't surprise me, but nothing will stop me from speaking on the things that I'm passionate about and issues that there are.
"I feel the sport does have a responsibility still always to speak out on things, to create awareness on important topics, particularly as we're travelling to all these different places," added the Briton.
"So nothing changes really."
Asked whether he would be prepared to take a penalty, Hamilton added: "It would be silly to say that I would want to get penalty points for speaking out on things.
"But I am still going to be speaking my mind as we still have this platform, there are still a lot of things we need to tackle."
He said all the drivers were aligned on freedom of speech and praised Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali for his support.
Team mate George Russell said the FIA's move was "totally unnecessary" and was confident the situation would be resolved before the start of the season on March 5.
"We’re not going to limit our views or our thoughts because of some silly regulation," he told reporters. "We’re all here to have free speech and share whatever views we may have."
The first two races of the season are in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Hamilton has in the past called for more change in Saudi Arabia, expressing shock in 2022 at reports of mass executions, and has raced in the Middle East with a rainbow helmet in support of LGBTQ+ rights.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said in a separate call that everyone should be allowed to "speak their mind whilst being respectful to each other.
"I think that's the ground rules," he added.
Reuters
Thu Feb 16 2023
Lewis Hamilton has used his platform to highlight racial injustice, promote diversity and address a range of issues from the environment to human rights. - REUTERS/Filepic
Tercekik biji rambutan, warga emas maut sesak nafas
Kira-kira jam 8.30 malam, pihak polis dimaklumkan berkaitan kematian seorang wanita berusia 72 tahun di Klinik Kesihatan Lawin.
Sektor pembuatan Malaysia dijangka kekal berkembang
Terdapat jangkaan pemulihan dalam eksport, dengan subsektor berkaitan teknologi mungkin dapat manfaat daripada kitaran mengembang teknologi.
Olimpik: Misi tersendiri atlet Palestin
Vallerie Tarazi menegaskan matlamat utamanya adalah mewakili jutaan rakyat Palestin yang tidak dapat bersuara.
Ikan paus jarang ditemui terdampar di New Zealand
Ia dipercayai ikan paus yang dikenali dengan nama spade-toothed whale.
Parti pimpinan Imran Khan diharamkan di Pakistan
Tehreek E-Insaf (PTI) iaitu parti yang diketuai oleh bekas Perdana Menteri Pakistan yang dipenjara, Imran Khan diharamkan oleh kerajaan negara itu. Keputusan itu seperti yang dinyatakan oleh Menteri Komunikasi dan Maklumat, Ataullah Tarar pada isnin.
KP Sharma Oli angkat sumpah sebagai PM Nepal
Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, pengerusi Parti Komunis Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) (CPN-UML), mengangkat sumpah sebagai perdana menteri Nepal yang baharu pada Isnin. Beliau yang berusia 72 tahun melaksanakan ikrar di hadapan Presiden Ram Chandra Poudel, sekali gus menjadikan beliau empat kali memegang jawatan itu sepanjang penglibatannya dalam politik Nepal.
Keputusan Speaker: Kuasa speaker tidak diperjelas - Penganalisis
Kelompangan yang sangat jelas ketika ini ialah akta tersebut tidak menjelaskan dengan jelas bahawa kuasa speaker adalah secara pentadbiran sahaja dan bukan bertindak sebagai hakim.
Pembersihan runtuhan di Gaza akibat serangan Israel makan masa 15 tahun - Agensi PBB
UNRWA berkata pemindahan sisa perang di Gaza akan memerlukan lebih daripada 100 lori dan kos melebihi AS$500 juta.
Keputusan Speaker: Parlimen perlu dipertanggungjawabkan - Penganalisis
Parlimen perlu dipertanggungjawabkan kerana menggubal satu undang-undang yang lompang dan lemah untuk dicabar mana-mana pihak.
Pameran WIPO promosi industri kreatif dan produk harta intelek ASEAN
Malaysia amat komited untuk terus mengembangkan potensi harta intelek sebagai pemangkin dan enjin utama pertumbuhan negara.
F1: Hamilton menangis selepas menang GP Britain
Juara dunia tujuh kali itu menangis ketika bercakap melalui radio pasukan pada pusingan akhir.
F1: Lewis Hamilton akan 'berseronok' dari petak ke-18 di GP China
Pemandu Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton berkata dia berhasrat untuk "berseronok" dalam Grand Prix F1 China Ahad selepas berada di petak ke-18.
Lewis Hamilton buat kejutan muncul di SMK Seri Keramat
Penampilan khas Lewis Hamilton di Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Keramat berjaya menarik perhatian netizen.
Verstappen ganti Hamilton musim depan?
Toto Wolff mendedahkan buat pertama kali bahawa dia berbesar hati untuk menerima kehadiran Max Verstappen menyertai pasukan Mercedes.
Pelumba F1 bimbang terhadap kenaikan kadar denda oleh FIA
Lewis Hamilton serta seluruh pelumba Formula 1 boleh dikenakan denda sehingga 1 juta euro berikutan perubahan drastik terhadap peraturan sukan itu.
F1: Hamilton mampu atasi Schumacher dengan gelaran F1 kelapan - Andretti
Mario Andretti tidak percaya Hamilton melakukan kesilapan apabila menyerahkan masa depannya kepada Mercedes.
F1: Alonso puji Verstappen sebagai pemandu terbaik selepas Schumacher
Verstappen hanya perlu mengumpul tiga mata dalam perlumbaan pecut Sabtu ini di Qatar bagi melengkapkan hatrik gelaran dunia.
Carlos Sainz Ferrari muncul juara Grand Prix F1 Singapura
Carlos Sainz melakar kemenangan untuk Ferrari dalam Grand Prix Formula 1 Singapura 2023.
F1: Max Verstappen terus bergelut di GP Singapura, mulakan saingan di tempat ke-11
Max Verstappen akan memulakan perlumbaan Grand Prix Singapura malam ini dari tempat ke-11.
F1: Hamilton beri komitmen kepada Mercedes sehingga 2025
Dijangkakan bahawa perjanjian baharu itu akan memperoleh Hamilton dalam lingkungan GBP50 juta setahun.