(CNN)Lewis Hamilton may be Formula 1’s most successful driver, but after clinching a record-breaking seventh world title on Sunday, the Brit said he still has work to do – to make his sport and the world “more diverse and inclusive”.
A brilliant drive during a rain-soaked Turkish Grand Prix not only secured Hamilton victory – for a record-extending 94th Grand Prix victory – but also equaled Michael Schumacher’s tally of seven world titles, the German great’s only remaining record yet to match that of the English has surpassed.
In an Instagram post following his historic performance, Hamilton said the coronavirus pandemic has given him a chance to “really think about my ultimate purpose.”
“Seven world championships mean the world to me, I can’t even describe how much, but there is one more race we have yet to win,” the post reads.
“This year I have been driven not only by my desire to win on track, but by a desire to help make our sport and our world more diverse and inclusive. I promise you I won’t stop fighting, we still have a long way to go but I will continue to fight for equality in our sport and in the world we live in.
“Equalizing Michael Schumacher’s record puts a spotlight on me that I know won’t be here forever. So, while you’re here paying attention, I’d like to ask everyone to do their part to create a fairer world. Let’s be more tolerant and kind to each other. Let’s make it so that opportunity isn’t something that depends on background or skin color.”
No driver in the history of the sport has won as many races, secured as many pole positions or been on the podium as many times as Hamilton. He is widely expected to add to his roster of world titles – he said after the podium race that he felt “like I’m just starting out” – and his place in the F1 pantheon is a long one secured.
He is the face of F1, but also its voice and conscience and has used his greatness like no other F1 world champion. As the first and only black F1 World Champion in its 70-year history, he became one of the sport’s leading voices in support of the Black Lives Matter movement this year.
Because Hamilton is a force for change, Mercedes – famous for its silver livery – unveiled an all-black car for this season in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, with drivers wearing black uniforms and the haloes of both cars bearing the call “End Racism. ”
The Brit’s incredible story – his father, Anthony, juggled three jobs, mortgaged the family home and used his life savings to keep his son in karting – is a prime example of just how notoriously difficult the Getting into the sport is because of the financial costs involved.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Hamilton said: “It’s no secret that I’ve run this sport alone as the only person of color here.
“The fact is, I’m multiracial… and there’s colorism that people might want to read about.
“When I was younger I didn’t have anyone in the sport who looked like me so it was easy to think that it’s not possible to get there because nobody your color has ever been there, you don’t see black people in the F1 .
“But hopefully this sends a message to the kids watching… that it doesn’t matter where you’re from, whatever your background, it’s so important for you to dream big.
“You can find your own way and that’s what I could do and it was so hard. Hart doesn’t even describe how hard it was.”
Immediately after the race, Hamilton sat in his car with his head in his hands and fought back tears.
“Very rarely do I lose control of my emotions, but I remember the last few laps and I just told myself to stick together,” Hamilton told reporters.
“When I crossed the line it really hit me and I just burst into tears.
“I didn’t want the visor to go up and people to see the tears because I’ve always said you’ll never see me cry. I remember seeing other drivers cry in the past and I thought I’ll never do that, but it was too much.”
Hamilton needed to finish eight points clear of teammate Valtteri Bottas to clinch the title at Istanbul Park. He did so with ease, lapping the Finn who crossed the finish line in 14th and earned zero points.
The performance of Bottas, riding in the same Mercedes machines, showed just how superior a talent Hamilton is. No one has come close to the world champion this shortened season and he secured the title with three races remaining after winning four straight races and 10 of 14 races so far this year.
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