Lewis Hamilton shows grace and purpose to rise above F1 racism rows

Were Lewis Hamilton’s task on track not hard enough, Formula One has long presented an altogether more formidable struggle. Before this weekend’s British Grand Prix he was served another stark reminder of the unpleasant reality that race remains a serious issue for the only black driver in the sport. Hamilton has faced it down with grace and stoicism.

The depths of bigotry have served only to elevate further an ambassador of which the sport can be proud.

F1 roundly condemned Nelson Piquet’s use of a racist slur in speaking about Hamilton, which was made public this week, since exacerbated as further examples of his intolerance have emerged. Piquet has form in this department, few were surprised by it or convinced by his apology in which he claimed his words had been mistranslated. There was great distaste across the sport but it was a salutary lesson of the racism Hamilton has faced in his entire career.

When the 37-year-old came to address it this week at Silverstone it was with a thoughtful and considered air that was a world away from the base, ignoble nature of Piquet’s comments. Hamilton was not only able to draw inspiration from adversity but in his actions has proved to be by far the bigger man, whose influence will be felt for decades to come.

“These undertones of discrimination and microaggressions are in today’s world not helpful and create more divide,” he said. “I love how Michelle Obama says when they go low, we go high. So I try to continue to do that. I’m still here. It’s not going to deter me from doing what I think is right and doing what I love, which is working in the sport.”

Hamilton’s reaction to Piquet’s comments was to demand action. He was in a strong position to do so, already going high as Obama