By Daily Sports Nigeria on July 19, 2024

Lewis Hamilton says Ralf Schumacher's decision to come out as gay "sends such a positive message" but that Formula 1 needs to make more progress on inclusivity.

Schumacher, who raced in F1 from 1997 to 2007 and won six grands prix, said in a social media post, external at the weekend that he was in a same-sex relationship.

Hamilton said: "Clearly he has not felt comfortable being able to say it in the past. It is definitely not a new thing.

"But it shows that we are in a time finally when we can take that step and don't have to fear. And hopefully he will be able to say that he's, I think, so far had only positive feedback from people [in F1] and that's because of the time we're living in and the changes we are."

Schumacher's sexuality was known within F1 when he was racing, but the German, the brother of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, had never discussed it publicly and within the sport his privacy was respected.

Hamilton, speaking at the Hungarian Grand Prix before Sunday's 13th round of the F1 season, said that all sports "have a long way to go" before all members of society felt comfortable.

"It is one thing saying it’s inclusive and it’s another actually making sure people feel comfortable in the environments," the Mercedes driver said.

"This is a male-dominated space and as far as I know he is one of the first to at least publicly be speaking in that respect.

"We are very inclusive within our team, but the sport does need to continue to do more to make people feel more comfortable, make women feel more welcome in this space, because I know they have not always been treated well in this space. So we can 100% do more."

Source BBC Sports

Posted July 19, 2024

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