Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton expresses interest in NASCAR
This weekend, F1 returns to the Miami, Florida area. The event brings the stars of open wheel racing to America via the Miami International Autodrome at Hard Rock Stadium.
Hear from Lewis Hamilton below.
Lewis Hamilton is racing his Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team machine with a rainbow sticker on his helmet. He’s previously won the sticker in race locations where the driver feels LGBTQ+ rights are being infringed upon. He wore the same sticker in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last month.
The driver is a 7-time F1 World Champion with 103 race wins over just 315 starts. He most recently claimed the title in 2020.
The 38-year-old is in his 17th year of Formula One competition. And, he’s open minded to giving NASCAR a try.
In 2023, Kimi Raikkonen and Jenson Button have both sat behind the wheel of a NASCAR Cup Series machine. The two F1 champions raced at Circuit of the Americas.
COTA Race Results: March 26, 2023 (NASCAR Cup Series)
Lewis Hamilton isn’t in favor of Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill
The bill was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022. The law restricts the discussion of LGBTQ topics in the classroom. That’s specifically regarding sexual orientation or gender identity.
Originally, the law was applied to kindergarten through 3rd grade students but the Florida Board of Education voted to include all elementary, middle and high school students
“It’s not good at all,” the seven-time champion said Thursday. “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.”
“My sympathy and thoughts are with the people here in Miami,” Hamilton said. “It’s not them making the decisions. It’s the people in government and that’s the issue. The sport is going to be here whether I am here or not. While I am here, I am just going to continue to be supportive.”
“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.”
“I really do continue to stand with the LGBTQ community and I’m wearing a rainbow flag on my helmet this weekend. And 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.”
Jenson Button said his NASCAR debut was 40% silly
Lewis Hamilton is interested in giving NASCAR a try
“I did a car swap with Tony Stewart years ago, which was fun,” Hamilton said Thursday afternoon.
That seat swap took place in 2011. Hamilton drove a NASCAR Cup Series machine and Stewart drove a F1 machine. The event was broadcast from Watkins Glen International.
“I’d love to try it at some stage. It’s not a dream for me to go race another series, but I am an admirer. I’m a fan of racing and other sports. So I would like to try it.”
Tony Stewart has a ‘strong opinion’ on the new NASCAR
Links
Lewis Hamiton | Tony Stewart | F1 | NASCAR
