Lewis Hamilton is using his fight for racial equality as motivation on the Formula 1 track, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes.
In the wake of George Floyd’s death earlier this year, the six-time world champion has picked up the baton, with regular posts on social media as well as being at the forefront of F1’s push to improve diversity and tackle racism through the #WeRaceAsOne initiative.
But whereas some questioned if his activism would distract from his day job of racing cars, Wolff thinks the opposite is true.
“Lewis has always been at his best when he fought adversity, and I think the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement is close to his heart and it certainly helps in terms of motivation,” he was quoted by GPFans.
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“But I think I have always said I am impressed by how he develops. Every season he is better in terms of his personality and as a driver.
“That is really inspiring in a way that as a mid-30-year-old he is able to show us how you can develop as a personality and how you can improve your game, how you can have interests in things outside of motorsport that actually make you stronger.”
Certainly, his results would back up his Mercedes boss’ comments, with four wins in six races and a 37-point lead over Max Verstappen in the Drivers’ standings.
But looking ahead to this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, Wolff notes the Brackley-based team has a less than sparkling record after being beaten by Ferrari the past two seasons.
“We haven’t won [at Spa] since 2017, so it feels like there’s unfinished business,” the Austrian said.
“It’s an iconic track and one of the fans’ favourites, but finding the right set-up can be difficult because of the variety of characteristics.
“On the one hand you want as little drag as possible on the long straights, but on the other hand, you need a certain level of downforce to be quick through the corners.
“It’s also forecast to be rainy in the Ardennes, which won’t make the job any easier.”