
© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
Lewis Hamilton, the loudest supporter of F1’s anti-racism message, was absent during the pre-race anti-racism demonstration ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.
This was the first time that Hamilton missed ‘taking the knee’ ahead of the race. The Briton explains this happened due to a mix-up while returning to the Mercedes garage.
“[It was] just timing,” Hamilton explained.
“My garage is the furthest away. I took the scooter back, and just basically ran out of time. I thought I left to come back in time – usually I’m guided of when to leave.
“I left when I was told to leave the garage, to come back, but by the time I came back, everyone had already taken the knee.
“[I] definitely missed it, but it’s not the end of the world. I got to see that my team continued to take the knee, which is great.
“We’ll just try and do better with timing next time. Perhaps I won’t go all the way back to my garage when it’s that far away.
“In the past, there is usually another toilet somewhere closer,” concluded Hamilton.