Breaking Barriers: Lewis Hamilton’s Discrimination
- therookiereporters
- Dec 8, 2025
- 3 min read
Lewis Hamilton, an absolute racing icon and the first and only black F1 driver. He’s someone who faced discrimination and hate and rose above it all to clinch a total of seven WDC titles, tying with legend Michael Schumacher. Here are just a few of the obstacles he had to face.
Early on
Lewis experienced bullying early on in his life. During an interview with the On Purpose podcast, Hamilton made the following statement:
“For me, school was probably the most traumatising and most difficult part of my life. I already was being bullied at the age of six. I think at the time, [at] that particular school, I was probably one of the three kids of colour and just bigger, stronger, bullying kids were throwing me around a lot of the time.”
During the interview, he also mentioned having bananas thrown at him, kids using racial slurs and even being called a ‘half-caste’.
During his career
During his professional career, Hamilton even faced discrimination from fellow drivers such as Nelson Piquet who reportedly claimed that Hamilton lost the championship because he was gay. Hamilton has never mentioned being homosexual and has had multiple girlfriends. Nelson made a statement saying the word he used was Brazilian-Portuguese slang, but experts deduced that the word was a subtle racist slur and he was forced to pay a hefty fine.
A turning point in Hamilton's racing career was at the 2007 Spanish Grand Prix when multiple fans showed up in blackface, sporting t-shirts with the words ‘Hamilton family’ written on them.
“I’ve been fighting the stigma of racism throughout my racing career — from kids throwing things at me while karting, to being taunted by fans in black face at a 2007 Grand Prix, one of my first Formula One races,” said Hamilton, in an OpEd in British newspaper The Sunday Times. In his Instagram story, Hamilton also posted photos from the incident a few years later saying, "I remember this like it was yesterday. The damage things like this do to people is unacceptable."
Throughout his career, Hamilton also advocated for his competitors. Following an interview with Helmut Marko in which he stated, “He is South American and he is just not as completely focused in his head”, Hamilton insisted that Formula One and society as a whole must seize the opportunity to make “real meaningful changes.”
The six-time world champion (at the time) said: “It’s so important that we seize this moment and use it to educate ourselves, whether you are an individual, brand or company, to make real, meaningful changes when it comes to ensuring equality and inclusivity. I have personally experienced racism in my life and seen my family and friends experience racism, and I am speaking from the heart when I appeal for change.” In 2020, Mercedes revealed a black livery as a stand against racism and discrimination.
During an interview with CNN, Bernie Ecclestone, the former chief executive of Formula One, claimed that black people are more racist than white people. Hamilton responded saying he was “sad and disappointed.”
WE RACE AS ONE-2019
During 2019 and 2020, F1 decided to show support in any way possible. They created the “We Race As One” movement in hopes of making the sport a safe, inclusive place for people of all races, genders, religions, sexualities, and beliefs. Many drivers took part, but Hamilton was one of the most involved advocates, along with Vettel. In many ways, he was the face of the movement, having broken barriers and societal expectations. In his own words:
“I’m used to being one of very few people of colour on my teams and, more than that, I’m used to the idea that no one will speak up for me when I face racism, because no one personally feels or understands my experience,”
Despite all Hamilton has gone through, he broke barriers, inspired thousands, made history and will forever be remembered as one of the greats.
Article written by Mia Pitzer