ESPN reported Thursday that Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton understands F1’s goal of stamping out harsh language over team radio calls but is upset by the way the situation has been portrayed.
Hamilton took issue with FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem’s use of offensive language over the team radio, calling it “rap music”, calling it a “racially charged stereotype”.
“We need to distinguish between our sport, motorsport, and rap music,” Ben Sulayem said in an interview with Motorsport magazine.
“We’re not rappers. How many times do they say the F-word in a minute? We’re not like that. That’s just the way they are and that’s who we are.”
As F1 continues to grow in popularity, especially in the United States as the circuit enters its 75th season, more people are tuning in to the broadcasts, which feature live team radio communications between drivers and pit crews.
“I don’t like the way he said rappers are stereotypical,” said Hamilton, who is black and was born in England. “You’d think the majority of rappers are black. To say we’re not like them is really making that point.”
“So I think it was a poor choice of words and there is a racial element to it. But like I said, I agree that I think (it) needs to be cleaned up a little bit.”
Hamilton, 39, admitted he used abusive language over team radio when he was younger but the seven-time world champion, now in his 18th season in F1, said he had grown up.
“If there were penalties, people would stop doing it,” Hamilton said. “I don’t know if that’s necessary. I definitely think there’s a bit too much of it.”
Hamilton currently sits sixth in the drivers’ standings heading into this week’s Singapore Grand Prix. He has two wins this season, at the British Grand Prix on July 7 and the Belgian Grand Prix on July 28.
Including this week’s race, there are seven more events on the F1 season schedule, two of which are in the United States – Austin, Texas, on October 20 and Las Vegas on November 23.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen currently leads the drivers’ points standings and is on his way to winning a fourth consecutive title.
–Field Level Media
