Lewis Hamilton will not boycott Belgian Grand Prix this weekend after sport stars protest in US

Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has been a vocal campaigner against racial injustice
AP
George Flood28 August 2020

Lewis Hamilton says he stands in unity with the athletes currently protesting against racial injustice and police brutality in the United States, but will not boycott this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.

On Wednesday, an unprecedented shutdown of sporting events occurred in the US as stars from multiple sports including basketball, tennis, baseball and football protested following the shooting of Jacob Blake by a police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

All NBA playoff games scheduled for Wednesday and later Thursday were postponed after the Milwaukee Bucks refused to take the floor for their game against the Orlando Magic, while the Western and Southern Open tennis event was suspended following Naomi Osaka's decision to pull out of her semi-final contest against Elise Mertens.

Games in Major League Baseball (MLB) and Major League Soccer (MLS) were also called off.

Reigning F1 world champion Hamilton has also been a vocal campaigner against racial injustice throughout his career and says he will talk to Formula One about further steps that can be taken to continue to raise awareness moving forward.

However, the Mercedes star does not think that a boycott of the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix - due to take place at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday - would have the same impact as those occurring in the US.

"It is a shame that is what is needed over there in order to get a reaction, but that is in America," he said.

"I don't know if really me doing something here will particularly have an effect. We are in Belgium, not the United States.

"I have not spoken to anybody about it but I am really proud of so many of them over there in the States and what they are doing within their sports.

"I stand unified with them. So many people are standing with the players and pushing for change.

"I don't really know how us not doing the race [will help], but I will speak to Formula One to see what I can do to continue to raise awareness, and continue to help push for change.

"Naturally, as a sport, we need to be aligned and supporting one another."