Last December, the FIA added controversial changes to its International Sporting Code to ban drivers on the F1 grid or any FIA competition from making their political claims at official events from 2023. In the new article the new Article 12.2.1.n of said code indicates that “the making and general display of political, religious and personal statements or comments that significantly violate the general principle of neutrality upheld by the FIA by virtue of Its Law, unless they are approved in writing by the FIA for International Competitions, or by the relevant National Sporting Authority for National Competitions within its jurisdiction.” Many drivers are against this change, and Lewis Hamilton made his intentions clear at the press conference after the presentation of his new car, the 2023 Mercedes W14.
The pilot assured that he was not surprised that the FIA acted in this way, but nothing could stop him from his constant request to promote equality and fight any kind of discrimination.
“I don’t really read the news during the winter, but I heard about it. “It doesn’t surprise me. But nothing can stop me from speaking about the things I enjoy and the problems that exist,” he said in a virtual conference, where MD was present.
“I feel that sport still has a responsibility, it always has, to talk about things, to raise awareness about important issues, especially when we travel to so many different places. Nothing changes for me,” he said, making it clear that he will continue to promote equality.worldwide within the Grand Prix.
In this sense, the FIA does not specify what the penalties are for a driver who wants to make his own claim within a Grand Prix that could be dangerous and indicates that the penalties for saying what he thinks are not important to him. “I think it would be silly to say that I would like to get penalty points for talking about things but, as I said, I’m still going to speak my mind and as we still have this platform (F1), there are still there are many things we must address”, added Ingles.
Stefano Domenicali, CEO of F1, said that the ‘Great Circus’ will not silence anyone, and in this sense, Lewis is confident about the leader of the category. “I think Stefano’s support is incredible and all the advocates are united in freedom of expression. I think we are all aligned with that,” he concluded in this matter.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
