Lewis Hamilton reveals ‘Black Lives Matter’ F1 helmet design
Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has unveiled his new helmet colour scheme he will use for the 2020 season, in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The new design is predominantly black but retains purple elements Hamilton used for its original 2020 helmet. The Black Lives Matter slogan and a clenched fist are incorporated onto the top of the helmet.
It comes after Mercedes moved away from its traditional silver colours to an all-black ‘stealth’ livery for its W11 challenger as part of a wider push for greater diversity in motorsport.
Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has unveiled his new helmet colour scheme he will use for the 2020 season, in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The new design is predominantly black but retains purple elements Hamilton used for its original 2020 helmet. The Black Lives Matter slogan and a clenched fist are incorporated onto the top of the helmet.
It comes after Mercedes moved away from its traditional silver colours to an all-black ‘stealth’ livery for its W11 challenger as part of a wider push for greater diversity in motorsport.
As well as the new livery on its 2020 challenger, Hamilton and team-mate Valtteri Bottas will also wear all-black overalls and sport tweaked helmet designs.
Hamilton, who said that he and his fellow drivers are likely to make a collective gesture of support for anti-racism prior to the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, explained he kept purple “from what [the design] I planned for the start of the season” due to it being his favourite colour.
Still WE Rise #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/kj2cxElMZ0
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) July 2, 2020
“This [pointing to Black Lives Matter logo] is the whole reason that the helmet has changed colour, my suit and the car,” Hamilton said in a reveal video posted on social media by Mercedes.
“It’s supporting equality above all and just really continuing to solidify that important message. We currently have the mic and people are now starting to listen.
“It’s an opportunity to continue to push that message and really hold people accountable.
“Brands, the teams, F1, and everybody here needs to be held accountable and be open to educating themselves and be open to understanding why the Black Lives Movement is happening and why around the world we need to be pushing for equality.”
Bottas also teased his revamped helmet design for the upcoming campaign, which includes an illustration of hands from different ethnic backgrounds linked together in solidarity with the message ‘Stronger Together’.
#StrongerTogether#VB77 @MercedesAMGF1 @F1 pic.twitter.com/ag3uXkWbot
— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) July 2, 2020
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