Lewis Hamilton could find himself in hot water with F1 chiefs after using his Tuscan Grand Prix win to make a controversial political statement.
The Briton took the 90th win of his career in Mugello on Sunday (September 13) and used the global stage to demand the arrest of police officers involved in the killing of American Breonna Taylor.
The 26-year-old black woman was shot dead by police in her Louisville home exactly six months’ ago.
The officers involved were serving a no-knock warrant. Ahead of the race, Hamilton took a knee wearing a black T-Shirt with the message ‘Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor’.
He also wore the T-shirt for his post-race interview, which was broadcast to millions around the world, and collected the winner’s trophy on the podium in the same clothing.
F1 moved to distance themselves from Hamilton’s controversial message on Sunday night, but he could find himself in trouble with governing body the FIA.
The sport’s rule-makers forbid political statements of any kind and the 35-year-old ace could be slapped with a fine.
Hamilton explained his stance after winning in Italy, which moved him to within a single triumph of Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 victories.
“It took me a long time to get that shirt and I have been wanting to wear it,” he said.
“I want to bring awareness to the fact that people are being killed on the street. There is someone who got killed in her own house and those guys are still walking free.
“We cannot rest. We have to continue to push on with the issue. No justice has been served. We won’t stay silent.”
