Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton understands Formula 1’s policy of cleaning up the foul language in the team’s broadcasts, although he is annoyed by the way the situation has been portrayed, ESPN reported on Thursday.
Calling it a “common belief” with a “racial element,” Hamilton countered with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem referring to offensive language on the team’s radio as “rap music.”
“We have to distinguish between our sport — motorsport — and rap music,” said Ben Sulayem in an interview with Motorsport.
“We’re not rappers, you know. How many times do they say the F word a minute? We’re not into that. It’s them and us (us).”
As F1’s popularity continues to grow, especially in the United States during the circuit’s 75th season, there are more eyes and ears on the broadcast. Live team radio communication between drivers and pit crew is used in the broadcast.
“With what he said, I don’t like the way he expressed it, saying that the rapper is bad,” said Hamilton, who is from England and is from Zimnyama. “You think a lot of rappers are Black people. That points to them, if they say we’re not like them.
“So I think those are the wrong words, there’s a racial element there. But like I said, I agree with the fact that I think it (needs) a little cleaning.”
Hamilton, 39, said he was guilty of using harsh language on the team radio when he was a young driver, but the seven-time world champion said he has matured. He is in his 18th F1 season.
“I’m sure if you put it, like there are penalties for you, people will stop,” Hamilton said. “I don’t know if that’s what’s needed. I think there’s a lot less (offensive language).”
Hamilton is currently sixth in the driver standings heading into this week’s Singapore Grand Prix. He has won two races this season, taking the British Grand Prix on July 7 and the Belgian Grand Prix on July 28.
Counting this week’s race, the F1 season has seven more events on the schedule, including two in the US: Oct. 20 in Austin, Texas, and Nov. 23 in Las Vegas.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen leads the current drivers’ points, closing in on his fourth consecutive title.
–Field Level Media