The power behind Hamilton’s next chapter

"I just hope that in 10 years' time it's different. That's my mission. That's my purpose here. Winning is all good, but it's kind of the least important."

Lewis Hamilton spoke those words to Autosport as he closed in on his seventh world title and the final races of the 2020 Formula 1 season approached. He was outlining his hope that the push for improved diversity in motorsport – something he’d instilled into the sport with his commanding words and actions that summer amid the Black Lives Matter protests following George Floyd’s murder. If winning is ‘least important’, then creating meaningful change must be ‘most important’.

The latest chapter in Hamilton’s efforts to make this happen was revealed recently. Sky has formed a partnership with Hamilton’s Mission 44 foundation, with a specific mission to address the UK’s disproportionate rate of school exclusions amongst black pupils. Per a Sky statement, Mission 44 will receive over £1m over two years as part of the media giant’s £30m commitment towards tackling systemic racism in society.

The Mission 44/Sky partnership will provide funding for education organisations to invest in ways to reduce school exclusion rates, as well as offer support for excluded students and ensure they get access to future careers information. The work builds on the findings of The Hamilton Commission report, while the drive to support excluded black pupils, or those facing exclusion, comes from Hamilton’s own school experience.

"Understanding and addressing issues that lead to young people being excluded from school is really important to me," says Hamilton. "Having experienced unfair exclusions during my time at school, I understand how upsetting and stressful it can be.

“When we launched Mission 44 last year, implementing initiatives such as these was a personal priority and I am grate to have the support of Sky to help Mission 44 take action. Through this partnership, I hope we can deliver meaningful change by arming schools with the proper strategies to support and empower young black students instead of giving up on them."

The timing of this development is intriguing. And this is purely because of when in Hamilton’s F1 career it has been announced.

Hamilton established the Mission 44 foundation, which has launched a new partnership with Sky aimed at tackling racial injustice

Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images

Before he returned to social media last weekend – and to those who scoffed at media reports of that development, it is indeed newsworthy – Hamilton had gone through eight weeks of silence following his controversial loss in the 2021 season finale.

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Last season was the first time Hamilton had been beaten to an F1 title in five years. But that loss, of course, was different. Hamilton himself voiced why – five corners from the flag at Yas Marina when he told his Mercedes squad the race had been “manipulated”.

In the closest and hardest-fought F1 season for a decade, Hamilton had had it won. Verstappen’s Q2 error cost him the best Abu Dhabi race strategy, their first lap clash was navigated – not without controversy, but Verstappen there having to die by the sword after living by it in such circumstances all season – and Sergio Perez’s mid-race brilliance an entertaining aside. Then, through no fault of either contender, the shambolic ending played out as it did.

Of all the recent F1 dominators, Hamilton is best placed to succeed outside motorsport, but even with all his interests, contacts and fans it's not a given. He holds more power as a current F1 driver than a former one

Hamilton’s pain, even through the dignified congratulations he offered to Verstappen once he’d climbed from his car, was clear to see. It was reinforced through his immediate silence post-race. The longer it went on, the more powerful it became. And Hamilton is person who knows the power of his words.

It’s interesting to consider the power sports stars possess. Their talent alone makes them valued, enhanced by intelligence and hard work. They inspire and entertain. And how they wield such power is fascinating too. Some use it to gain a competitive edge – important to remember with social media offering a direct line to fans and followers – others want to make a financial or status gain. Using power to effect real and lasting change is something else entirely.

Hamilton is set to return to the full F1 spotlight when Mercedes launches its W13 next Friday. There will inevitably be focus on how he views the Abu Dhabi result two months on – which carries a greater weight given the FIA is taking so long to complete the probe it launched into those events. But F1’s new era also starts now.

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Hamilton, now 37, was the undisputed star of the one just gone. Motorsport stars can still deliver at the highest level as they head into their 40s and have done so throughout its history. The advances in modern society would suggest they can go on as long as they really want.

Hamilton's pain was clear to see after his defeat to Verstappen amid controversial circumstances in Abu Dhabi

Photo by: Erik Junius

But F1 domination eras have always ended – with Ferrari/Michael Schumacher and Red Bull/Sebastian Vettel the most recent examples. The major regulation overhaul now finally going from concept to reality represents the biggest risk of this finally happening to Mercedes (although it has credit in the bank for successfully maintaining its success run through the 2017 rule changes).

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If Mercedes finds itself back in the midfield or a part of an ever-changing cast of winners – as Liberty Media hopes will happen – will Hamilton want to stay as part of the show rather than being the show? Of all the recent F1 dominators, he is best placed to succeed outside motorsport, but even with all his interests, contacts and fans it's not a given. He holds more power as a current F1 driver than a former one.

But however the next chapters of Hamilton’s extraordinary life play out, he can reflect on a reputation built through sustained success and now wielded trying to make a lasting difference in society. Even as F1 seeks to drop the We Race as One ceremony from its pre-race procedures and Mercedes may well return to its traditional silver livery with the W13, efforts such as the Mission 44/Sky partnership demonstrate how Hamilton’s efforts are taking intentions from words to actions. That is power indeed.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images