Vulgar language in Formula 1
“Racist element”: Hamilton criticises association boss
Lewis Hamilton thinks: The world federation boss has gone too far. Photo
© James Gasperotti/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
300 km/h, emotions: Can you still be careful with your choice of words? The head of the World Motorsport Federation thinks so. His choice of words in the cursing debate irritates the Formula 1 record world champion.
In the swear word debate of the Formula 1 record world champion Lewis Hamilton has sharply criticized the president of the world motorsport association for his choice of words and accused him of having a “racist element”.
FIA boss Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who has already caused discontent with his comments in the past, wants to reduce the amount of swearing in the TV broadcast of the racing series. So far, so good. Seven-time world champion Hamilton has nothing against this. But the Mercedes star is bothered by the wording of the official from the United Arab Emirates.
The R-word makes Hamilton angry
“We have to differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music,” said Ben Sulayem, a former rally driver, to the trade magazine “Autosport” in an interview before the Singapore Grand Prix. “We are not rappers. They say the F-word how many times a minute? We are not one of them.”
Hamilton was offended by the R-word. “I don’t like the way he expressed himself,” replied the 39-year-old, the only black driver in Formula 1. “Saying rapper is very stereotypical because most rappers are black. That suggests: we are not like them. So I think that is the wrong choice of words. There is a racist element there.”
In this matter, Hamilton even agrees with Ben Sulayem
Hamilton is a strong advocate for diversity in motorsport. He can only shake his head at formulations that exclude others. The top rule enforcer Ben Sulayem, on the other hand, has a strained relationship with the Formula 1 leadership due to his solo efforts, and he has also been accused of misogyny, for example.
However, Hamilton agrees with the Dubai official on the core of the swear word debate, because he himself feels that swearing over the radio is too much. “When I was 22, I didn’t think about it that much. It was more about emotions running high and you just say what comes to mind. You forget how many people are listening, and especially how many children are listening,” said Hamilton.
However, not all curses are transmitted in the Formula 1 TV signal anyway. Those that are transmitted via radio are faded out with a beep. “It’s good to have some emotions, but we’re not robots,” said Hamilton, who even sees penalties as an effective means of dealing with tirades.
Verstappen: “Everyone is swearing”
In any case, Ben Sulayem has long since been in contact with Formula 1 management. “And now with technology, everything is broadcast live and everything is recorded. Ultimately, we have to investigate this to see if we can minimize what is said publicly,” explained Ben Sulayem. “Imagine you are sitting in front of the TV with your children watching the race and then someone says all these dirty words.”
World champion Max Verstappen, on the other hand, has little to do with the world association’s approach. “I think people will still swear,” said the Red Bull driver, who caused a stir this season with a tirade of abuse at the race in Hungary in July. “If it’s not in this room, then maybe somewhere else. Everyone swears. Some people a bit more than others.”