Hamilton supports ‘BLM’ movement with new helmet

Hamilton’s customised helmet comes after Mercedes announced black-liveried cars for the 2020 season as the world champion aims to make a visual stand against racism and for diversity. Apart from the ‘BLM’ message, Hamilton’s latest gear also has ‘Still We Rise’ message engraved on the back of the helmet, which is predominantly black in colour with shades of purple. “The whole reason my helmet has changed colour, the suit has, and also the car, it is for equality above all, and just really continuing to solidify that message,” Hamilton said in a video uploaded on his Twitter handle. “We currently have the mic, and people are starting to listen. We have got the opportunity to really push that message and hold people accountable.

“Brands and the teams in Formula 1, everybody here needs to be held accountable and be open to educate themselves, be open to understand why the movement is happening, and why we need to keep pushing for equality around the world. Because, it is not good enough. Even if someone says to you we have been doing something or we have been trying, they need to try harder because it is still a big issue that the world is fighting, 60 years after Martin Luther King fought for it.

“That is what it is about. I kept the purple from what I planned to start this season, it is my favourite colour, and yeah, I hope that you get to see it when I am in the car.” Austria’s Red Bull Ring in Spielberg will play host to the first race of the season, which otherwise would have been the 11th grand prix on the normal calendar. Six-time champion Hamilton will be gunning to equal legendary Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of seven F1 titles in the upcoming season.