Lewis Hamilton’s method of expressing his displeasure has not gone over well, even though he agrees with the FIA president regarding team radio swearing.
The president of the FIA, which oversees Formula 1, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has made a request to lessen the frequency of profanity that appears in broadcasts on team radio.
Lewis Hamilton criticises FIA president ‘rappers’ claim
Ben Sulayem called for Formula 1 to get very much on the other side of that specific fence by drawing a comparison between rap artists and drivers swearing on team radio.
Ben Sulayem exclusively told Motorsport.com, “I mean, we have to differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music.”
You know, we’re not rappers. How many times a minute do they say the F-word? That is not where we are at. We are [us], and that’s them.”
When the FIA president pressed Hamilton about those remarks, he said that although he sometimes thinks team radio’s offensive language should be toned down, Ben Sulayem’s argument included a “racial element” because “most rappers are black.”
Hamilton said, “I think there’s two segments to that, because I’ve only heard of that today.”
“On the one hand, when I was 22, I didn’t give it as much thought. It was more like your emotions were just running wild and you were saying whatever was on your mind, not caring how many people were watching, the kids watching, or anything else.
“I agree that some of the other drivers don’t seem to get it yet, based on what I’ve heard. Eventually, they most likely will.
If you say there are consequences, I’m sure people will stop. And perhaps that is the case with Although I’m not sure if it’s necessary, I do believe there is a little bit too much of it.
“I disagree with the way he expressed what he said after that. Rappers, it’s very stereotypical to say that. Furthermore, the majority of rappers are Black, which really kind of implies that we’re not like them.
Therefore, I believe that those are a poor choice of words and that there is a racial undertone.
However, as I previously stated, I concur that [it needs] a little bit of cleaning up.
Nevertheless, Hamilton believes that in order to prevent robotic drivers, a balance needs to be struck.
“But having some emotion is also beneficial,” he added. “We are not automatons.
“And the reason I’m able to control it is because I have a large following of people of all ages, and I have about 2000 people working towards me attaining this position and being where I am.
“Yet, even though I’m going through this experience as planned, it’s not about me; what I do and say impacts everyone who is giving up time with their families and giving their all so that I can have this fortunate position and opportunity.” It simply means realizing that and directing your aggression elsewhere. So I make an effort to do that.
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