Lewis Hamilton, F1’s first and only black driver, says the sport must push for greater diversity – even though it’s no longer ’trendy’ to talk about

• Lewis Hamilton has called on Formula 1 and the world to increase its efforts to boost diversity.
• The only Black driver in F1 history said it was "trendy" to talk about diversity last year, but wants words to turn into actions.
• Hamilton is the most successful driver in F1 history having notched up his 100th race win at the Russian Grand Prix.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has said he wants words to turn into actions now that the talking about diversity in motorsport is no longer "trendy."

Speaking to Sky Italia, the Mercedes driver called on influential figures in the sport to do more to help diversity in the sport. Hamilton is the first, and so far only, Black driver in the history of Formula One.

"We need to keep this discussion alive. It could be said that last year it was 'trendy' to talk about diversity, but you have to follow the words with the actions. We must continue to talk about it

"With Jean Todt [FIA President] but also with Stefano Domenicali [F1 CEO], continuing to talk about it and making new alliances, because there is no person who can do this job alone. It has to be done together. Don't be afraid to talk about it."

Hamilton has frequently called for greater action on diversity in F1, and has previously blasted the sport as a "billionaire boys' club", saying it would be impossible for someone like him to break into the sport these days.

He said that when he made his F1 debut in 2007, he knew he was "different."

"I've been in racing for a long time, but I never quite understood why it was just my dad and me.

"Even though I didn't think about it all the time, I knew we were different."

"When at the end of a season I had won the title, I felt the enormous happiness and the privilege of being champion, but then what? What do you do with the title?

"Suddenly you have everyone's attention on you. I was trying to understand what my purpose was, why I drive as I know how to do. What is the reason why I am who I am and I am the strongest in this sport?"

Hamilton said he is driven by a desire to make the sport more open to people who aren't from the traditional moneyed elite that makes up much of Formula One's grid.

"The dream that drives me this year is to make this sport more open, more inclusive. A new path dedicated to engineers and other people who, otherwise, could not even dream of being part of this sport. I wish all teams were part of it.

"We live in a world where many people are unaware of what is happening and other people think that if something doesn't concern you, you don't have to do anything.

"It is crazy to hear certain news, such as the restriction of women's rights to abortion in the United States. Even if as a man it does not concern me directly, it is fair to talk about it.

"It is right to give your support and be part of a generation that pushes for change. This can be done for any topic, such as climate change and human rights.

Hamilton has been at the forefront of his team's campaign for equality. Following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, Mercedes switched the color of its livery from its traditional silver to black in support of Black Lives Matter, a campaign Hamilton has vocally supported.

The 36-year-old also wore a t-shirt with the words "Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor" following his victory at the 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix in reference to the police killing of Louisville, Kentucky resident Breonna Taylor in her apartment in March 2020.

The FIA then promptly banned drivers from wearing anything other than their race suits on the podium. That decision led some to accuse the authority of only pretending to care about diversity.

"It is not just a matter of winning races and championships, but of moving the needle. Even by a single millimeter because over long distances the difference can be enormous.

"Thinking about all the years that have passed, I feel like a pebble. When you throw a pebble into the pond, it creates concentric waves around it.

"It's something I've always wanted to be. If you can make an impact even just on one person, pushing them to do something better in life, in the end your time here will be worth it."