I'm always taken aback by all the moaning and hatred there is for Hamilton. For the most part it just seems so unfounded and something other drivers don't suffer, that it really makes me wonder if it is just racism. I'm giving people the benefit of the doubt because celebrities always attract bitterness, but when I hear people moan about Hamilton it really makes me second guess their motives.
People always complain that drivers are too sanitised now, they do as they're told to make sponsors happy. Then a driver puts what is important to him front and centre and uses he's celebrity to bring attention to people that are marginalised and he gets abuse for not being a silent billboard for advertisers. I would much rather see a drivers personality than the bland smiling billboard.
I constantly see people giving out about he's radio communications, saying he cries and moans about things, as if other drivers don't do exactly the same thing. Or as if every single one of us don't behave the same way once we get behind the wheel of any kind of machine. I saw a video come up on my facebook feed of a guy (that grew up in the same area as Hamilton) trying to make out Hamilton only got to where he is because he got preferential treatment as a black man, it was utterly ridiculous.
Hamilton is free to talk about whatever he wants. It's pretty easy to just avoid all the media surrounding a race and just watch the race. But to go hunting down all this news then give out that they say or do things you don't like is a completely different kettle of fish.
He's one of the greats of F1, and he's using that greatness to bring attention to the plight of others. You don't have to like what he's saying but there's no reason to hate him for having an opinion.
People always complain that drivers are too sanitised now, they do as they're told to make sponsors happy. Then a driver puts what is important to him front and centre and uses he's celebrity to bring attention to people that are marginalised and he gets abuse for not being a silent billboard for advertisers. I would much rather see a drivers personality than the bland smiling billboard.
I constantly see people giving out about he's radio communications, saying he cries and moans about things, as if other drivers don't do exactly the same thing. Or as if every single one of us don't behave the same way once we get behind the wheel of any kind of machine. I saw a video come up on my facebook feed of a guy (that grew up in the same area as Hamilton) trying to make out Hamilton only got to where he is because he got preferential treatment as a black man, it was utterly ridiculous.
Hamilton is free to talk about whatever he wants. It's pretty easy to just avoid all the media surrounding a race and just watch the race. But to go hunting down all this news then give out that they say or do things you don't like is a completely different kettle of fish.
He's one of the greats of F1, and he's using that greatness to bring attention to the plight of others. You don't have to like what he's saying but there's no reason to hate him for having an opinion.