Hamilton, The Black Experience and The FIA.
It’s been four days since Hamilton and Verstappen went head-to-head for the Formula 1 title… and I’m still not over what I witnessed. Yes, I am a Hamilton fan, and yes, I’m disappointed that he lost. However, what stinks about this situation the most is the manner of the defeat. It wasn’t that he was beaten by the better driver or car on the day. If that was the case, I could have taken that, accepted it and moved on. What took place on 12th December was a blatant manipulation of the rules. Now to clarify, that’s a fact not an opinion.
Over the last couple days, I’ve been wondering why the outcome of the race is still bugging me (even several days later). Watching the reactions on Twitter and listening to commentary from pundits has been leaving me with a bitter taste in my mouth - literally. Usually after watching a team/individual I support lose, I tend to get over it and move on. Mainly because the outcome of their result doesn’t really affect my life. I don’t see the point in losing sleep over it. But, that Sunday night, I did not sleep well. I kept thinking about the race and how fundamentally wrong the actions of the race director were (referee/umpire for those who aren’t F1 fans).
The more I thought about it and broke it down in my head. I realised how what happened to Hamilton in that race truly personified the black experience within England and probably across the majority of the western world.
If you’re quick to think I’m just pulling the race card, then I ask you to try and look at this objectively. In all honesty, this doesn’t have anything to do with Max Verstappen and everything to do with how the rules by the race director were applied. To simply put it… there is clear procedure of what to do when a safety car is present and this has been followed for several years. However, that procedure on the final lap of this race was ignored and the subsequent result happened.
What’s the link between the race and the black experience you ask?
Here we have Lewis Hamilton and his team who have followed the safety car procedure and made an informed decision to not pit as to protect their lead. But, without knowing it, the rules would later be changed, meaning he and his team would be at a significant disadvantage for that informed decision.
What’s wild about this is that this all took place in front of millions of people watching live. Literally the race director was happy to ignore the rule book to do what he wanted. This is basically the same as a police officer abusing their power - which we all know happens. It makes me question if this happens on the world stage. What is going on behind closed doors when the cameras aren’t on? (Pretty confident of the answer to be honest). You’d think - with the world watching - the decision makers of F1 would follow their own rules more than ever. As always, and sadly not surprising, several F1 pundits continue to sit on the fence and offer empty platitudes saying both drivers deserved to win and ignore the issues at hand. Which if I’m being honest, just reeks of how our British media and people in power provide lip service to and pretend to care rather than doing anything.
Now, I and countless people of colour have been on the receiving hand of this behaviour in our wider society. There’s this notion if you work hard and follow the “rules” you will do well and get a “good job” and progress etc. but, that’s clearly not the case. Evidence shows that black graduates from college or university are more likely to be unemployed, in part time work or paid less compared to their white counterparts. This is just one example of how people can follow the “rules” and do the “right thing” and still be getting a raw deal.
Flip it on its head and kids from diverse backgrounds a more likely to be expelled or suspended from school compared to white students. There is evidence within every facet of society from education, health care, sport, and entertainment that the “rules” don’t affect everyone the same. The goal post are forever moving and even though they are laws and rules in place. It doesn’t mean that people of colour get the benefit of those laws protecting them. There’s a reason why Boris Johnson can lie to the British public about Christmas party’s not taking place last year and keep his job. However, when Dawn Butler (a female black labour MP) confronts him and states he is a liar (which history clearly show to be correct) she is ordered to leave the House of Commons as if she is in the wrong. Simply put, there’s one set of rules but two games being played here. And that was what I saw taking place last Sunday which angered me more than anything. Add to that, Hamilton having been clearly wronged managed to speak respectfully and with such calmly, Mind you, I believe naturally he is a that humble in success and defeat, but also, I am very aware he knows he doesn’t have the luxury to say what he really thinks about the situation. History has shown that if you say what’s really on your mind as a person of colour the British press and media are the quickest to turn their backs you and show their true colours.
There’s obviously a lot that needs to change within our society and I do believe things are slowly shifting. More conversations are taking place and peoples actions are changing. Rome wasn’t built in a day and I think these changes were will be taking place over several years to come, hopefully in our lifetime but we shall see. If you made it through my mini rant, I appreciate you for taking the time to read this. And if you didn’t you are probably a Max Verstappen fan lol
All the best
Ken
