Lewis Hamilton continues to set pace off F1 track in tackling big issues

Lewis Hamilton won his first grand prix 15 years ago this weekend in Canada. He has been centre stage ever since. He still is, just not perhaps in quite the way he would prefer.

After seven years of unprecedented Mercedes domination helped him to 103 GP wins, Hamilton’s 2022 car is not at the level of Red Bull or Ferrari. Once again, it looks like a supporting role for the seven-time world champion on the track in Baku this weekend. Off it, he is still making headlines, from doubling down on his commitment to inclusion and diversity, to film-making and becoming a citizen of Brazil.

The FIA president, Mohammed ben Sulayem, caused controversy this week when he was quoted pointing out that in the days of Niki Lauda and Alain Prost they just got on and drove, whereas modern drivers use F1 as a platform, referencing the likes of Hamilton, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel and Britain’s Lando Norris speaking out about human rights, LGBQT+ support and mental health.

In Azerbaijan on Friday, Hamilton underlined he had no intention of stepping back and urged more drivers to become involved. “Formula 1 continues to be an important platform to use our voices,” he said.

“For every single one of us here to do more, to speak out more, to spark more conversations. Creating a more inclusive environment is so important, and focusing on creating better diversity within your organisation and within the sport. But it’s moving at a slow pace. I encourage all drivers to be more outspoken and speak about what they care about.”

Vettel, who recently aired his views on the environment and more on BBC’s Question Time, added: “The topics Lewis is continuing to raise, the issues Lando has been talking about, and the stuff I’ve been