Lewis Hamilton backs environmental protests, but not their methods as protestors invade British GP track

By Ben Morse, CNN

Updated 1113 GMT (1913 HKT) July 4, 2022

Lewis Hamilton driving his Mercedes car during the British Grand Prix.

(CNN)Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has said he supports the cause of environmentalist group Just Stop Oil, but not some of its methods after group members invaded the track during the British Grand Prix.

At Sunday's Grand Prix at Silverstone, a group of protesters wearing orange T-shirts sat on the Wellington straight when cars were returning to the pit at low speeds with the race red-flagged after Zhoy Guanyu's high-speed crash. Mercedes driver Hamilton, who found out about the protests opposing global oil usage in the post-race press conference, said: «Big up the protesters.»The 37-year-old, who finished third in a dramatic race, added: «I love that people are fighting for the planet and we need more people like them.»After the press conference, Mercedes said in a statement, which was sent to CNN: «Lewis was endorsing their right to protest but not the method that they chose, which compromised their safety and that of others.»Read MoreLater in the day, Hamilton took to Instagram to clarify his thoughts. «As we've seen today, this is a very dangerous sport,» he wrote. «I wasn't aware of the protests today, and while I'll always support those standing up for what they believe in, it must be done safely. Please don't jump onto our race circuits to protest, we don't want to put you in harm's way.»Hamilton waves at fans following the British Grand Prix.Northamptonshire Police said that seven people were in custody after the incident, with chief inspector Tom Thompson saying he was «really disappointed» the protesters ignored prior warnings about safety issues. «We offered to