15 February 2023 , 16:43
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Lewis Hamilton has vowed not to be silenced as Formula 1 bosses try to stop drivers making "political, religious and personal statements, unless pre-approved by the FIA".
The seven-times world champion put himself on another collision course with the FIA by strongly declaring his defiance to the new directive. It comes after several other drivers have also voiced their opposition to the rule change.
Speaking at the launch of the new Mercedes car for 2023, Hamilton said: "It does not surprise me but nothing will stop me from speaking out on the things I am passionate about and on issues I feel the sport still has a responsibility – and always will – to speak about.
"The sport has a responsibility to create an awareness of important topics, particularly as we go to different places. So nothing changes for me."
The new F1 season starts in Bahrain in just over two weeks' time and then heads to Saudi Arabia. Previously, Hamilton has been vocal in his support of those that raise human rights concerns in those countries – and he is clearly not going to change even though the FIA could even impose the draconian penalty of points deductions.
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Hamilton, 38, added: "I think you would be silly to say I would want to get penalty points for speaking out on things but I am still going to be speaking my mind. As we still have this platform, there are still a lot of things we need to tackle."
Despite the FIA regulation, the sport's chief executive Stefano Domenicali says drivers' free speech should not be restricted and others on the grid have echoed Hamilton's thoughts. "F1 will never put a gag on anyone," the former Ferrari chief recently declared.
Lewis Hamilton with FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem (Getty Images)Meanwhile, Alex Albon demanded earlier this week : "We need clarity from the FIA on what they are trying to tell us." And Sergio Perez said the move is something many of the drivers are not comfortable with, and hinted that it will be a hot topic of discussion at the first GPDA meeting of the year.
Reacting to that statement from F1's top boss and his fellow racers, Hamilton said: "The support from Stefano has been amazing, and all the drivers have been aligned on freedom of speech."
Meanwhile, his team-mate George Russell, who is also a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, dismissed the "silly" rule. He said: "I can't imagine they will want to restrict any of us from any of our views, or our freedom of speech. We have our right to share our views across whatever platform we wish.
"I'm not too sure why the FIA have taken a stance like this – I think it is totally unnecessary in the sport and in the world we live in. I trust it will be resolved and I would like to think it has been some sort of misunderstanding. We are not going to limit our views because of some silly regulation."