The news on Sunday was not who won the first Formula One race in three months but the action before the race.
While most drivers chose to join Lewis in kneeling before the race, Ferrari Driver Charles LeClerc explained in a series of Tweets why he chose not to:
‘All 20 drivers stand united with their teams against racism and prejudice, at the same time embracing the principles of diversity, equality and inclusion, supporting Formula 1’s and FIA’s commitment. I believe that what matters are facts and behaviors in our daily life rather than formal gestures that could be seen as controversial in some countries. I will not take the knee but this does not mean at all that I am less committed than others in the fight against racism.’
Also on Sunday, Hamilton, a six-time world champion, changed his ‘Silver Arrow’ ride to a black Mercedes in honor of the BLM movement.
Oh, Lewis’s Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas took the top spot, 0.6 seconds ahead of Hamilton.