Formula 1 Champ Will Wear Rainbow Helmet in Miami Grand Prix

Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton will wear a rainbow-adorned helmet this weekend at the Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix in support of the LGBTQ community. Hamilton is the only Black driver in Formula One, the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars. He’s known to speak on issues of social justice and race, human rights and protection of the LBGTQ community. “It’s not good at all,” Hamilton told reporters earlier this week. “I stand by those within the community here. I hope they continue to stand firm and push back. I’ll have the rainbow on my helmet. It’s no different to when we were in Saudi.” https://twitter.com/NBCOUT/status/1654546567670509568 From NBC News:

Hamilton, a long-time supporter of LGBTQ rights, didn’t call out any specific legislation in Florida, where the “Don’t Say Gay” education law and a proposed measure against drag performances have drawn fire from civil rights advocates.

“I did hear and have read about some of the decisions that have been made in government here and I do not agree with it and I do not support it,” the British racer told reporters ahead of 

“I really do continue to stand with the LGBTQ community and I’m wearing a rainbow flag on my helmet this weekend,” he continued. “I just really want to continue to support the community here and let them know I stand with them and I hope they continue to fight against it.”

Hamilton also made clear that he doesn’t view the citizens of Miami as responsible for the recent spate of anti-LGBTQ legislation in the Sunshine State noting, “It’s the people in government and that’s the issue.” https://twitter.com/AP/status/1654456085615456257