Seven-time world champion Formula 1 Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton criticized the president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton criticized FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem for saying that drivers sound like “rappers” when they swear on the radio with teams.
Ben Sulayem said that he is trying to introduce changes, so as to reduce the ugly words emitted by the Formula 1 Management (FOM). FOM controls all content broadcast during the competition season.
“We have to make a difference between our sport and rap music. You know, we’re not rappers. They swear, say the J word, how many times a minute? We’re not for that. It’s them, and we’re us ,” he said. .
Hamilton said he understood the concern about excessive swearing, but that there was an “element of racism” in the statement about rap music.
“What he said, I don’t like how he expressed it. By saying rappers, it’s stereotypical, because most rappers are black. It suggests that ‘we’re not like them’ and I think it’s a wrong choice of words and there’s an element of racism I agree that things need to be resolved, but it’s good to show some emotions since we’re not robots,” Hamilton said, Sky reported.
During the broadcast, the messages that the drivers and teams exchange are broadcast on several occasions, so the viewers have an insight into the strategies and situations on the track.
Hamilton, who rarely uses inappropriate language on the radio, said he chooses his words because he knows kids watch the races.
“When I was 22, I didn’t think about it that much. It was more about emotions and you just say what comes to mind, forgetting how many people are listening, that kids are listening, all that stuff. So I agree in the sense that you listen to other drivers , and they haven’t figured it out yet, but at some stage they probably will ,” said one of the best drivers of all time.
“I’m sure if you put penalties on it, people will stop. I don’t know if it’s necessary, but I definitely think there’s too much of it,” Hamilton added.
