Lewis Hamilton admits fear of racism nearly derailed Ferrari F1 switch
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Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has admitted that concerns over racism in Italy nearly led him to reconsider his high-profile move to Ferrari ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season. His apprehensions stemmed from ongoing racial abuse suffered by Black athletes in Italian sports in recent years, making the transition a deeply personal and challenging decision.
As the only Black driver in F1 history, the seven-time world champion has endured racist attacks throughout his career. One of the most notorious incidents occurred during his rookie season in 2008 when Spanish fans mocked him in blackface, calling themselves "Hamilton's Family" and hurling racial slurs at him. This hostility came just a year after his intense rivalry with Fernando Alonso, and unfortunately, similar incidents have persisted.
Racism reared its head again during Hamilton's dramatic 2021 title battle with Max Verstappen. Following his controversial collision with the Dutchman at the British Grand Prix, a wave of vile abuse flooded social media. The backlash was so severe that Mercedes, F1, and the FIA were compelled to issue a rare joint statement condemning the attacks, while Red Bull also demanded greater accountability.
Now, as he prepared to leave Mercedes for an unprecedented chapter with the Italian side, Lewis Hamilton has acknowledged the weight of stepping into unfamiliar territory. The fear of facing racial abuse once again in Italy nearly convinced him to remain with the Silver Arrows. However, despite these concerns, he has chosen to embrace the challenge, determined to leave a lasting legacy in the sport's most iconic team.
Hamilton told TIME that the thought had certainly crossed his mind while he was considering his decision. The seven-time F1 world champion acknowledged that, in many cases, it was a small group of individuals who set a negative trend that others followed. However, he expressed confidence that it would not become an issue.
The British driver also stated that he had always embraced negativity and never responded to comments from older white men who had voiced opinions about his career and what they believed he should do. Lewis Hamilton emphasized that the way a person presents themselves, how they show up, and how they perform can gradually break down such prejudices.
Racism in Italian Sports: A Persistent Issue
Racism has remained a troubling issue in Italian football, with multiple incidents highlighting the ongoing struggle against discrimination. In January 2024, AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan called out racist abuse after he and his teammates were subjected to monkey chants during a match against Udinese, ultimately walking off the pitch in protest.
Romelu Lukaku has also faced vile abuse in Italy, enduring racial slurs and even having bananas thrown at him by spectators. The issue extends beyond foreign players, affecting Black Italian athletes as well. Mario Balotelli, a key figure in Italy's 2012 European Championship campaign, once threatened to leave the field after being targeted by Hellas Verona fans, despite his contributions to the national team.
The problem isn't limited to fans, as even high-profile figures within the sport have failed to take a strong stance. In 2019, former Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci controversially suggested that his then-19-year-old teammate Moise Kean was "50% responsible" for the racist abuse he received from Cagliari fans, claiming the young forward's goal celebration provoked the crowd. Bonucci's remarks were widely condemned by players like Raheem Sterling, yet he received support from his manager at the time. Though he later claimed to have been "misunderstood" in an Instagram post, he did not offer a direct apology to Kean.
Lewis Hamilton's Fight Against Racism in Formula 1
For Lewis Hamilton, the battle against racism has been personal and deeply rooted in his career. Since 2008, he has encountered multiple instances of discrimination in Formula 1, but his activism intensified in 2020 with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, fueling his mission to challenge inequality.
The world was shaken by the murder of George Floyd, a Black man who died in the United States after a police officer knelt on his neck for over nine minutes, leading to cardiac arrest. In response, Hamilton used his platform to demand action within the sport and beyond. Mercedes backed his efforts, with Toto Wolff and the team's executives making a bold statement by incorporating black into their car's livery—a symbolic move that persists to this day.
Lewis Hamilton also encouraged his fellow drivers to take a knee in solidarity with the movement and made headlines when he appeared on the podium wearing a shirt that read, "Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor," referencing the Black woman fatally shot in her bed by law enforcement. His activism nearly led to an FIA investigation over political messaging, but the governing body ultimately chose not to pursue any action.
Beyond symbolism, Hamilton has focused on tangible change. He launched *Mission 44*, a global foundation aimed at tackling social injustice by promoting equity in education, employment, and empowerment. He also co-founded the *Hamilton Commission* with Dr. Hayaatun Sillem to examine the underrepresentation of Black individuals in motorsport and STEM fields, addressing whether systemic racism has hindered minority participation.
As he embarks on his Ferrari journey, the Briton remains committed to using his voice and influence to push for a more inclusive and just future—both in racing and beyond. Lewis Hamilton recounted that his experiences with racism began as early as five or six years old, recalling how he was one of the few Black children at his school. Speaking to Mercedes in 2024, he admitted that over time, he had reached a breaking point, realizing that many others were likely facing similar or even worse discrimination.
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