Top
0 £0 Basket
Basket Summary
Basket Total: £0
Go to basket
All All Adult Driving Junior Driving Car Track Day Bike Track Day Experience Days Help Login Corporate My Voucher Gift Cards 01376 809032

Hamilton has 'no plans' to kneel for US anthem - News

Lewis Hamilton has launched a veiled attack on President Donald Trump on the eve of the United States Grand Prix - but says he has rowed back on plans to protest during the Star-Spangled Banner.

Hamilton claimed at last month's Malaysian Grand Prix that he would consider following in the footsteps of NFL players who have knelt during the American national anthem in protest at racial inequality in the country.

The 32-year-old Briton - Formula One's first and only black champion, who could seal his fourth world title in Austin this weekend - has been vocal in his support of the so-called 'take the knee' movement and his distaste of Trump and his administration.

Trump has denounced the protests as unpatriotic and called on NFL franchises to fire or suspend players who do not stand during the National Anthem and on fans to boycott matches.

"I don't really plan on allowing all the BS [bulls***] that is surrounding the topic to pull me down in my stride to win this world title," Hamilton said on Thursday.

"I have worked hard to be where I am today and whilst I do have opinions and feelings towards the whole situation, at the moment I have no plans to do anything.

"Winning here is the most important thing for me in the midst of all that is going on in the country. That is a priority. You know what I am talking about."

Asked to clarify his final remark, Hamilton looked at a black American journalist sitting in the front row.

"When I was referring to 'do you know what I mean' it wasn't to everyone here, it was to the gentleman at the front," he said. "I am here to win and that is my focus."

Hamilton has several links to the United States. He socialises there - on Tuesday night he attended a benefit concert in Brooklyn with a bevy of celebrity friends - while his former long-term girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger was raised there.

"There has been a lot of mention of it - not of the kneeling - but just of the whole situation," Hamilton added. "I know a lot of people in America so I get to speak to a lot of black people and white people who live here.

"I get quite a good view of what is happening in the States and opinions from Americans about the movement, which is pretty huge.

"I have posted about the movement because I respect it highly and I find it awesome. I am very much in support of it, but I am here to win and that is at the top of my priorities."

Hamilton will seal his fourth World Championship if he takes the chequered flag here on Sunday and Sebastian Vettel finishes sixth or lower.  Vettel's year has imploded after he crashed out in Singapore and retired from the Japanese Grand Prix with a mechanical issue.

"I think the talk of winning the championship this weekend is silly," Hamilton added. "You can't expect Sebastian to have a difficult weekend again.

"We have got an opportunity to win the championship, but as long as it is done in the next four races that is my focus. I couldn't care less whether it is here or at the last race as long as it gets done."


Hamilton has 'no plans' to kneel for US anthem
20 October 2017
Trackdays

Other News

McLaren's Revival, Verstappen's Toddler, and the Chaos of F1 2025

McLaren's Revival, Verstappen's Toddler, and the Chaos of F1 2025

The 2025 F1 season delivers McLaren's stunning comeback, Verstappen balancing fatherhood, driver drama, and edge-of-seat racing thrills.
19 May 2025
Lucy
F1 Fans Aren't Too Soft - The Sport's Just Not Stupid Anymore

F1 Fans Aren't Too Soft - The Sport's Just Not Stupid Anymore

A Gentle Explanation: F1 fans aren't soft. We just want safety, clean racing, and excitement - not drivers risking their lives.
05 June 2025
Lucy
UK's Record Sunny Spell Presents Hazard to Motorists

UK's Record Sunny Spell Presents Hazard to Motorists

Following new Met Office statistics showing 2025 as sunniest spring on record, we are urging care to be taken in the challenges this brings on the roads
10 June 2025
News
Flexi-Wings in F1: The Brilliant Bendy Bits Stirring Up Trouble

Flexi-Wings in F1: The Brilliant Bendy Bits Stirring Up Trouble

Flexi-wings are back in the spotlight - here's why these bendy aero tricks are stirring chaos, controversy, and cleverness in F1 2025
02 June 2025
Lucy
Formula 1 vs. IndyCar: Fast Cars, Two Completely Different Worlds

Formula 1 vs. IndyCar: Fast Cars, Two Completely Different Worlds

F1 and IndyCar share the same goal: go fast. But how do they do it? Completely different beasts, built for chaos in their own ways.
17 June 2025
Lucy
Musical Motors: Five Famous Songs Where the Car's the Star

Musical Motors: Five Famous Songs Where the Car's the Star

We profile five tunes that either feature a well known motor - or just pay homage to the joys of driving - in musical form
16 June 2025
Blog