Lewis Hamilton to race for Mercedes in new all-black car and overalls as F1 team give up their famous ‘Silver Arrows’ trim to get behind Black Lives Matter movement after British star hit out at the lack of diversity in ‘white-dominated sport’
- Lewis Hamilton has worked closely with Mercedes on their new design for 2020
- British star and team-mate Valterri Bottas will race in all-black cars and overalls
- Mercedes have given up ‘Silver Arrows’ trim to fight racism and boost diversity
- Hamilton hit out at ‘white dominated sport’ after George Floyd’s death in May
- The reigning F1 world champion says he and Mercedes want to ‘build a legacy’
Lewis Hamilton will race in an all-black Mercedes to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement when the Formula One season finally begins this week.
The reigning world champion has been outspoken about the lack of diversity in the sport and last month hit out his fellow drivers for ‘staying silent’ in the wake of George Floyd’s shocking death at the hands of a police officer in the US.
But in a bid to show they ‘stand against racism and all forms of discrimination’, Mercedes have abandoned their traditional ‘Silver Arrows’ trim for the 2020 season.
Mercedes’s new all-black design will support the Black Lives Matter movement this season
Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton has been vocal about the lack of diversity in F1
Hamilton and his team-mate, Valterri Bottas, will instead race in an all-black base livery ‘as a public pledge to improve the diversity’ of Mercedes when the delayed season starts with the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday.
Both drivers will also wear black overalls and adapt the designs of their helmets in order to reflect the campaign.
The message ‘End Racism’ will be displayed on the halo of both cars, while the new F1 initiative #WeRaceAsOne will feature on the mirrors.
Hamilton, who attended a Black Lives Matter protest in London earlier this month, worked closely with Mercedes and team principal Toto Wolff on the project.
Speaking about Mercedes’ decision to design the black car, Hamilton said: ‘It’s so important that we seize this moment and use it to educate ourselves whether you are an individual, brand or company to make real meaningful changes when it comes to ensuring equality and inclusivity.
The British Mercedes driver was seen at a Black Lives Matter protest in London this month
Mercedes are ditching their traditional ‘Silver Arrows’ trim for 2020 to help fight racism
‘I have personally experienced racism in my life and seen my family and friends experience racism, and I am speaking from the heart when I appeal for change.
‘When I spoke to Toto [Wolff] about my hopes for what we could achieve as a team, I said it was so important that we stand united.
‘I would like to say a huge thank you to Toto and the Mercedes Board for taking the time to listen, to talk, and to really understand my experiences and passion, and for making this important statement that we are willing to change and improve as a business.
‘We want to build a legacy that goes beyond sport, and if we can be the leaders and can start building more diversity within our own business, it will send such a strong message and give others the confidence to begin a dialogue about how they can implement change.’
Hamilton has been a vocal leader in talking about the need for the sport to be more diverse
Hamilton had claimed that he ‘stands alone’ as a black F1 driver in a white dominated sport
Mercedes say they plan to announce a diversity and inclusion programme before the end of the season that will involve ‘continuing to listen to and raise the awareness of our team members; forensic analysis of our recruitment and development processes; collaboration with the sport’s key stakeholders to improve accessibility to our sport; and targeted education initiatives to encourage and support talented people from under-represented backgrounds who aspire to reach F1.’
The move comes after Hamilton blasted the lack of diversity in F1 and accused his other drivers of ignoring Floyd’s death, the incident which sparked huge Black Lives Matter protests around the world.
In a number of Instagram post on May 31, Hamilton wrote: ‘I see those of you staying silent, some of you the biggest stars yet you stay in the midst of injustice.
‘Not a sign from anybody in my industry which of course is a white dominated sport. I’m one of the only people of colour there yet I stand alone. I would have thought by now you would see why this happens and say something about it but you can’t stand alongside us.
Hamilton criticised the lack of racial diversity in his own sport on Instagram last month
Hamilton also called for several world leaders to educate their countries on racial principles
‘Just know I know who you are and I see you.’
Hamilton added: ‘I do not stand with those looting and burning buildings but with those who are protesting peacefully.
‘There can be no peace until our so called leaders make change. This is not just America, this is the UK, this is Spain, this is Italy and all over.
‘The way minorities are treated has to change, how you educate those in your country of inequality, racism, classism and that we are all born the same!
‘We are not born with racism and hate in our hearts, it is taught by those we look up to.’