Lewis Hamilton is focused on acing the United Stated Grand Prix rather to ‘take a knee’ during the American national anthem. He also considered the anti-racial movements protesting in US as ‘awesome’.
“I don’t plan on allowing all the BS that’s surrounding the topic pull me down in my striving to win the title,” said the British driver representing Mercedes.
“While I have opinions and feelings on the situation, I have no plans to do anything.”
NFL player Kaepernick opted to sat rather than kneel during national anthem. Other players followed the suit.
Hamilton considered ‘taking a knee’ last month but before the race in Austin he said, “Of course there has been a lot of mention of it. Not of the kneeling, just the whole situation.
“I know a lot of people in America. I get quite a good view of what is happening here in the States and opinions about the movement, which is pretty huge.
“I have posted about it [on social media] and I respect it highly; the movement Kaepernick started I think is awesome.
“I am here to win, that is my priority at the moment, so I am not really focused on anything else at the moment.
“Winning here is the most important for me. In the midst of all that’s going on in the country – you know what I am talking about – that is a priority for me.”
If Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel finished lowered than fifth in US GP, Hamilton will walk away with his fourth title on Sunday.
But Hamilton insisted “nothing has changed” in his approach to the race.
“I anticipate [Ferrari] will be very strong here and for the next four races. That is why nothing changes for me. I just have to keep the pressure on.”
“I couldn’t care whether it’s the last race, as long as it is done.”
‘Huge admiration for Kaepernick’
Hamilton admired Kaepernick.
“It is great to see people standing up for their beliefs. Particularly with Kaepernick sacrificing his career for the greater good. Just that alone is admirable and I have huge admiration for him.
“No-one has done that since Martin Luther King. It kind of puts me on the spot, what do I do? To be continued.”
He added, “People are still divided, there is still racism, still discrimination, it’s sickening.
“Equality and diversity is a really important thing”
