Lewis Hamilton: ‘Racial component’ to FIA boss’ ‘rapper’ remark

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton understands Formula 1’s goal of cleaning up salty language on team radios, although he takes offense with how the situation has been portrayed, ESPN reported Thursday.

Calling it “stereotypical” with a “racial element,” Hamilton took issue with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem referring to offensive language on team radios as “rap music.”

“We have to differentiate between our sport — motorsport — and rap music,” Ben Sulayem said in an interview with Motorsport.

“We’re not rappers, you know. They say the F-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That’s them and we are (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 broadcasts. Live team radio communications between drivers and their pit crews are used on the broadcasts.

“With what he’s saying, I don’t like how he’s expressed it, saying that rappers is very stereotypical,” said Hamilton, a native of England who is Black. “You think about most rappers are Black. That really kind points it towards, when it says we’re not like them.

“So I think those are the wrong choice of words, there’s a racial element there. But as I said, I agree with the fact that I think (it needs) cleaning up a little bit.”

Hamilton, 39, said he was guilty of using harsh language over his team radio when he was a younger driver, but the seven-time world champion said he has matured. He is in his 18th F1 season.

“I’m sure if you put, like there’s penalties for it, people will stop it,” Hamilton said. “I don’t know whether that’s something that’s needed. I definitely think there is a little bit too much (offensive language).”

Hamilton currently is in sixth place in the drivers’ 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 U.S.: Oct. 20 at Austin, Texas, and Nov. 23 at Las Vegas.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen leads the current drivers’ points standings, closing in on his fourth consecutive title.

–Field Level Media