He is the most successful driver in Formula One-he fought for equality and brought him a status that cannot be tarnished by any Grand Prix defeat.

Last modified on Monday, December 13, 2021 EST 07.49

In the final race of the most dramatic Formula One season ever, Lewis Hamilton failed to become a record eight-time world champion. Victory with only 5 laps left, a crash, and a heinous decision by the race administrators led to his main competitor Max Verstappen-using new tires- -Passed him on the last lap.

However, in "losing", Hamilton proved that he is a true champion. This year, he became the first Formula One driver to win 100 races. He is the key protagonist of the sport's greatest season ever. And, even though he still holds the title of seven world championships, no other driver has won more.

But more important than all of this is that in the past 18 months, he has not only been a very successful racing driver, but has surpassed sports and has become an important global cultural figure.

Hamilton's changes are profound. It wasn't until May last year that he became famous for surpassing racing, mainly because he promoted his fashion and hang out with other celebrities. But the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, and the global anti-racism movement it triggered, awakened his sense of social justice. As Hamilton told The Guardian: "I burst into tears. What I have been suppressing all these years has appeared. It is so powerful, so sad, and so free. I thought,'I can't remain silent'... ...So when I said it, I let the black community know,'I hear your voice and I stand with you.'"

10 years ago, he mentioned half-jokingly about the rude treatment of the Formula One manager, he said: "Maybe it is because I am black"-after that he quickly apologized and remained largely silent on race issues. This Not surprisingly, because as the only black driver in the history of the sport, and there are only a few black faces among the thousands of black faces working for the team and Formula One management, he knows that few people will come back to him.

However, when the 2020 season, postponed by the new crown virus, started in Austria just over a month after Freud’s death, Hamilton knelt on one knee before the race, put on a Black Lives Matter T-shirt, and persuaded other drivers to compete with He wore an End Racism T-shirt with 13 knees, standing side by side. This kind of pre-match protest continued until this season. In a game last year, Hamilton-referring to another black death at the hands of the American police-wore a T-shirt that read: "Arrest the police who killed Brenna Taylor."

After that, the organizers of the sport introduced new rules prohibiting the transmission of "political or religious" messages on clothes worn after the game.

Hamilton has not only taken a symbolic stance: he funded a survey on the lack of diversity in motorsports, bringing together senior Formula One figures, engineering agencies, members of Congress and equality activists. The subsequent report was released in July, calling for changes and actions in all aspects of sports, as well as in the fields of science and engineering.

In addition, Hamilton also publicly opposed human rights violations in countries that hosted the Grand Prix. Before the Hungary game, he posted on Instagram: “I want to share my support for those affected by the government’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws.” In the last three grand prix games in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, he wears Participate in the competition in a rainbow-colored helmet and stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.

Although Hamilton is facing a media storm this month, when it was reported that his Formula One team Mercedes had accepted sponsorship from a company that made some of the flammable insulation materials used in Glenfelta, but it was the owner of his team. There is no part in the decision. Within a few days, the transaction was terminated.

In addition to his political words and deeds, especially this season, Hamilton has established personal connections with many people who have watched the unfolding drama. Very simple, this is a black and white story. This year, in a car of the same quality, Hamilton has encountered a young opponent who has always been willing to break the rules in order to win.

If there is a theme that runs through the season, it is that Verstappen seems ready to risk a crash to prevent Hamilton from overtaking him. In San Marino, Spain, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi on Sunday, Hamilton had to take measures to avoid collisions-although only in Saudi Arabia, Verstappen was punished. Many people ask, if blacks drive in the same way as Verstappen, how would they be treated?

This is a situation that many blacks can identify in their own work lives: the bad behavior of white colleagues is forgivable, or worse, seen as a sign of their genius.

Verstappen left the track in Brazil to prevent Hamilton from overtaking, but was not penalized, which surprised many drivers. Even when he was punished, the bad behavior continued. A week ago, on the podium after the race in Saudi Arabia, Verstappen rushed out before the start of the traditional celebration. His driving was punished and criticized by many people because his driving behavior was too aggressive.

In contrast to Hamilton's grace and dignity on Sunday, despite the huge controversy, he praised Verstappen for winning the championship. If deprived of the title under similar circumstances, few people can imagine that Verstappen would do the same.

This is an act that Hamilton has witnessed before. Two years ago, his then main competitor Sebastian Vettel (Sebastian Vettel) was angry because he failed to win a penalty kick and exchanged "first" and "second" in front of the drivers' cars in the paddock. placard. Can Hamilton do this without causing huge protests and anger from the authorities?

This is why Hamilton’s experience, despite being at such an elite level, has so many connections with blacks. We cannot lose our temper; we cannot raise our voice; we cannot walk out. All we can do is let our talents do the talking, hope this is enough.

For Hamilton, this works well in a sport where abilities are clearly measurable. After an unbelievable bad weekend, followed by a very controversial decision, he proved that he is a true champion.

Joseph Hack is a senior editor of the Guardian, diversification and development. He is the former editor and publisher of Black Briton Weekly