Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo says he is learning more and trying to be better in wake of Black Lives Matter as Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton adds about his intentions after talks with the sport and his team and if drivers will do anything on Sunday.
As a continuation of the ‘Dan’s Diaries’ series, Renault F1 driver Ricciardo tackled the particularly relevant topic of racism within our society, joining the conversation that has rightfully garnered much attention.
In his write-up, Ricciardo reacted to the global movement in the wake of George Floyd’s death, and reflected on the deaths of other people of color at the hands of police officers. He also explained that this has opened his eyes to what truly goes on outside of his world.
Ricciardo pledged to do his part in the fight against racism going forward, acknowledging that he, too, has made mistakes in the past, and looks to right his wrong by using his platform. Below is his full message:
New diary entry. #BLM pic.twitter.com/6MU9VEIMbb
— Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) July 2, 2020
Looking at the grid, Ricciardo has been the most vocal alongside Lando Norris apart from Hamilton, who once again used his platform to put out his views. He noted about calls with F1 and Mercedes to know about the plans and also why he wanted the industry to speak.
“I think it is a shame it’s taken another death of a black man in the States to kind of really kickstart this all,” said Hamilton in the press conference. “But on one sense having that filmed, that’s what’s feeling sparked it all and given us kind of the platform and the microphone to be able to raise awareness, to help try and encourage people to educate themselves and I’ve personally had to spend a lot of time trying to also educate myself to make sure that I’m fully up to date with everything that’s been past and what is present.
“I think it’s positive to see that people are reacting and I do want to see people being more proactive. I think Formula 1 have been great – I spent a lot of time on the phone with them, doing zoom calls, talking about their plans and how we can move forwards united. I spent a lot of time talking to Mercedes, and it’s great to see them onboard and being part of this process of shifting and focusing on equality and inclusivity.
“But there are a lot of people that just take a moment to post Blackout Tuesday, but are not doing much else. I’ve definitely not heard anything from any of the other teams, as far as I’m aware, and the call-out was really for everyone in this industry and it doesn’t matter… there’s so many great jobs here, so many opportunities, but none so far, or very few opportunities have been shown to minorities.
“So I think we do have to really push, that more needs to be done for sure, but it is a starting point and I won’t stop pushing until we really see change. Seeing one person of colour added to the paddock is not diversity, and so we’ve really got to dig deep, we’ve really got to pull together and I think it really starts at education.
“That’s why I’ve really commissioned this report. It’s difficult to change what you don’t know, and I think everyone has an opinion of what the issue is and why we don’t have a lot of diversity, but I should be able to come to you with actual real factual results that show us why and how we can change it,” summed up Hamilton.
Before the weekend, Norris stated that the F1 drivers may take up a knee or show support which Hamilton agreed. Although, he stated that they haven’t really pinned on if they will do for sure but they could decide in the run-up to Sunday.
“We haven’t all spoken, so I’m sure during this weekend we will,” said Hamilton. “It’s not been on the top of my mind, and I’ve been asked this question multiple times. It’s not really been a priority for me with a plan to come and kneel at the startline. So we’ll see Sunday. I think whatever we do we’ll try to do it united.
“I think it’s really important that we remain united or we become united I would say more so in this sport, and we really do have to fight for the injustices and the inequality. In terms of whether or not it’s sustainable, it has to be, and this is the whole point of me mentioning it. It’s not enough for me to take a moment to post Blackout Tuesday or whatever, and then go back to your regular lives. We have to stay on it.
“Black people don’t have the privilege of being able to take a moment out, it’s something we have to stay on top of, in the industry we have to come together and our voices are powerful. If we bring them together, we can have a huge impact. So I do think it’s sustainable if we all stay on it.
“I’m sure. It’s the first race, I think already as a team we have shown quite a big acknowledgment of where we are in society today, and that we are not standing still. It will be interesting to see if any of the other teams are doing anything. But we will I’m sure as drivers we will all stand to represent something,” summed up Hamilton.
UPDATE: Hamilton has released a new helmet with Black Lives Matter for this weekend.
https://twitter.com/LewisHamilton/status/1278780570693177345?s=20
https://twitter.com/MercedesAMGF1/status/1278785769352712192?s=20
Here’s Daniel Ricciardo on racism situation
Here’s Daniel Ricciardo on F1 Nation
Here’s new livery for Mercedes on BLM
Here’s latest on Lewis Hamilton and Bernie Ecclestone
Here’s Lewis Hamilton hitting the streets for march
Here’s news on Lewis Hamilton setting up a commission
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