Hamilton not against Mercedes returning to silver F1 livery

Mercedes introduced a black anti-racism livery at the beginning of the delayed 2020 campaign and has continued to run the design for a second season in 2021. 

The German marquee is expected to switch back to its traditional livery next year, with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff suggesting that 2021 would be the final season its cars are painted black. 

Despite being a key influence in Mercedes’ decision to overhaul its livery after being inspired by anti-racism movements around the world, Hamilton said a return to silver would have no impact on the team’s ongoing push for greater diversity and inclusion. 

“I don’t have a particular feeling towards it,” Hamilton said. “I’m obviously not involved in that particularly right now for next year and it is originally a ‘Silver Arrows’.

“When I asked if we could go to make the car black last year, in terms of the symbolism, and what we intend to do moving forward in terms of support, I wasn’t expecting it to last particularly long, and we carried it into a second season, which is awesome.

“If it goes back it will be a nice change and it doesn’t deter us from the changes that we are making internally, as we continue to truly push for diversity, even working with all of our partners.

“Even the other day with UBS, we had these young kids come, trying to inspire the next generation of engineers from all different backgrounds. We’ve got a good programme going, so it doesn’t make a difference.”

Hamilton, who is F1’s only black driver, has been the most vocal advocate for improving diversity in the sport and last year set up the Hamilton Commission to determine why there are a lack of opportunities for ethnic minorities in motorsport. 

Back in July, the seven-time world champion made a personal pledge of £20m into the new ‘Mission 44’ charitable foundation to support underrepresented groups in the UK.