2023-05-06 20:22:45
Lewis Hamilton’s helmet design with the striking rainbow colors made its debut in Qatar 2021. With the symbol of the LGBTQ+ community ((lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and others), the Englishman later also drove in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi as well as in Hungary.
The Formula 1 star says: “I thought long and hard about what message I wanted to convey on this topic. I want to draw attention to difficulties, and they are not small. I hope I can contribute something to rethink.”
In line with traditional Islamic morality, homosexuality is forbidden in Qatar, with penalties of up to five years in prison. There is no legal recognition of same-sex marriages or civil unions. In Saudi Arabia, homosexual acts are also punishable by lashes and imprisonment. In the United Arab Emirates, homosexuality carries the death penalty in the worst case.
Hamilton also wears the rainbow helmet in Miami, and not by accident: The 38-year-old castigated the conservative government of Governor Ron DeSantis at the Miami International Autodrome. He pushed through in Florida what had previously happened in Hungary – in schools, teachers are forbidden from informing young people about sexual orientation or gender identity.
Lewis Hamilton: «I’ve read a lot about the decisions in this state. I do not agree with the government’s actions. I stand by the LGBTQ+ community and want to set an example with the rainbow. What is happening here is not good. Florida is no different than Saudi Arabia.”
Ironically, Miami is home to one of the largest LGBTQ+ communities in the USA. Homosexuality was openly acknowledged here back in the 1930s, which was unthinkable in other parts of the country at the time. Miami is also the starting point for trips to popular Key West, which is considered a stronghold for LGBTQ+ people.
Lewis Hamilton plans to wear the rainbow helmet at the other World Championship races in the USA, i.e. in Austin (Texas) and Las Vegas (Nevada).
3. Training, Miami
01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:27,535 min
02. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:27,941
03. Sergio Perez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 1:28.050
04. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:28.125
05. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:28,407
06. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, 1:28,428
07. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Alfa Romeo, 1:28,456
08. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, 1:28,497
09. Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:28,561
10. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:28,606
11. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:28.607
12. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, 1:28.618
13. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:28,718
14. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:28,723
15. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Alfa Romeo, 1:29,074
16. Yuki Tsunoda (J), AlphaTauri, 1:29, 179
17. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, 1:29,264
18. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 1:29.375
19. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:29.401
20. Nyck de Vries (NL), AlphaTauri, 1:29,447
2. Training, Miami
01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:27,930 min
02. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:28.315
03. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:28,398
04. Sergio Perez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 1:28.419
05. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, 1:28.660
06. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:28.741
07. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:28,858
08. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:28,930
09. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:28,937
10. Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:29,046
11. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, 1:29,098
12. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:29.171
13. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Alfa Romeo, 1:29,181
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Alfa Romeo, 1:29,189
15. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:29,216
16. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 1:29.339
17. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, 1:29,393
18. Yuki Tsunoda (J), AlphaTauri, 1:29,613
19. Nyck de Vries (NL), AlphaTauri, 1:29,928
20. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, 1:30,038
1. Training, Miami
01. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:30,125 min
02. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:30,337
03. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:30,449
04. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:30,549
05. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:30.724
06. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, 1:31,104
07. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, 1:31.231
08. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:31,337
09. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, 1:31,392
10. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:31,542
11. Sergio Perez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 1:31.566
12. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 1:31.810
13. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:31.853
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Alfa Romeo, 1:31,902
15. Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:31,903
16. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:31.997
17. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Alfa Romeo, 1:32,134
18. Yuki Tsunoda (J), AlphaTauri, 1:32, 169
19. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, 1:32,619
20. Nyck de Vries (NL), AlphaTauri, 1:34,637
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