SM
Newcastle vs. West Ham: 18 hrs 19 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Lewis Hamilton backed to increase diversity in F1

:Headline: Lewis Hamilton backed to increase diversity in F1: ID:354503: from db_amp
Motor racing's UK governing body says it is talking to Hamilton about giving F1 greater reach.

Lewis Hamilton has been urged to complete his Formula One legacy by working alongside motor racing's UK governing body to improve diversity in the sport.

Hamilton, who will arrive in Bahrain for round two of his world championship defence on Wednesday, remains F1's first and only black driver.

The 34-year-old British star has spoken about the absence of diversity in F1's predominantly white-male dominated world.

On Tuesday, he tweeted in support of the England's footballers who were subjected to racial abuse in Montenegro.

"What you [England] faced with the chants was despicable," he wrote. "Completely unacceptable [and] no room for this behaviour in any sport."

David Richards, chairman for Motorsport UK, believes the weight of Hamilton's name in supporting its initiative aimed at increasing participation from wider social demographics, will prove a huge boost in changing the sport's landscape.

"We are talking with Lewis and we have had discussions of that nature," Richards told Press Association Sport.

“I am sure in future years that Lewis is going to be a great ambassador for us in helping to attract and appeal to disadvantaged children in inner cities”
- David Richards, Motorsport UK chairman

"I am sure in future years that Lewis is going to be a great ambassador for us in helping to attract and appeal to disadvantaged children in inner cities, who may kick a football around, but the last thing they would ever dream of being able to do is drive a racing car.

"We have got to make opportunities available for people like that. I hope Lewis will be supportive of the initiative."

Richards, the former F1 team boss who will be in Bahrain this weekend, added: "It is early days, and Lewis' priority is to win a couple more world  championships, but I am quite certain that he will be looking for a legacy.

"I hope that will be by assisting us to expand the grassroots level and footprint of motorsport into areas where we haven't been in the past."

At last year's Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton, who was raised in a Stevenage council house, addressed the ethnic issues facing F1.

In an Instagram post he wrote: "There's barely any diversity in F1. Nothing has changed in the 11 years I've been here."

And on the eve of the new campaign, Hamilton again reiterated his interest in improving diversity. He said: "What's driving me right now is to continue to push for diversity, to push for change.

"Not only in my sport but also in the world and encouraging people in general but naturally youngsters who are up and coming and have dreams.

"I want to encourage them to dream big and really put it out there in the universe. I've got to make sure that I keep pushing, keep evolving, keep driving. If I'm not moving forward then I feel like I'm not breathing."

Hamilton will be looking to open his winning account in Bahrain on Sunday. He trails Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas in the standings following the Finn's victory at the Australian Grand Prix earlier this month.

amp_article__354503 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-03-27 14:34:35:
html db last update - 2019-03-27 14:34:35 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Lewis Hamilton

Share this article now:
Read more about Lewis Hamilton Formula 1
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .