Lewis Hamilton - The African Mirror

Dec

2021

Hamilton speaks out on human rights in Saudi

ALAN BALDWIN SEVEN-TIMES Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton expressed concern about human rights in Saudi Arabia and indicated he did not feel comfortable about having to race in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia is hosting a grand prix for the first time this weekend, a night race around a street circuit in Jeddah, with rights groups accusing the country of using the event to deflect scrutiny from abuses. Hamilton, the sport's most successful driver, said he had received a warm welcome on arrival but felt "duty-bound" to speak out. The Briton, who has used his platform to campaign for diversity…

Nov

2021

By The African Mirror

Hamilton plans to wear Progress Pride helmet in Saudi Arabia

LGBT+

ALAN BALDWIN Seven-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has said he will wear his rainbow-coloured Progress Pride helmet at next month's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as well as in Qatar this weekend to draw attention to LGBTQ+ intolerance. The sport's most successful driver explained his stance after taking pole position for Mercedes in Doha on Saturday. Saudi Arabia and then Abu Dhabi are the final two races of the season. "I will be using the same helmet through probably the last two races after this, or at least next week also," the title contender told reporters. "On the back it says 'We Stand…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

Hamilton’s historic win at Sochi marks his 100th

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO On a partly wet Russian afternoon, world champion Lewis Hamilton drove like a legend to win the Russian Grand Prix, retake the world championship race and became the first driver in F1 history to record 100 victories. After he took the chequered flag, Hamilton conceded that a century of victories was a hard toil all the way. “It was hard work,” he said.”. To get to a hundred…” Hamilton’s driving and Mercedes strategy won the race that many thought was going to be won by McLaren’s Lando Norris, who led the race until lap 50 of the 53…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

MET Gala 2021 presents: the dazzling and the bland

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO AFTER a year break due to the covid-19 pandemic, the MET Gala, society’s most anticipated social fashion event of the year, returned to New York’s Metropolitan Museum with one of their most ambiguous themes yet - ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion Part 1’. The 2021 edition of the gala evening was met with a mixture of haute dressed-to-the-nines; social-cultural movement themes; old Hollywood glamour. There were reimaginings of iconic American imagery, old Hollywood glamour and reimaginings of iconic American imagery like the Wild West. There were also risque barely-there looks; underwhelming and absent faces with whom fans…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

Bottas leaves Mercedes for Alfa Romeo

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER AFTER spending the past years playing second fiddle - “wingman” - to Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes driver Valterri Bottas is leaving to become the frontman at Alfa Romeo. Bottas spent five years during which he helped Hamilton win the driver’s championship and Mercedes the constructors title. He will replace the legendary Kimi Raikonnen -”The Flying Finn” - for the 2022 season. Raikonnen, whose career includes driving for Ferrari and Renault, is retiring from F1. Bottas will be replaced by George Russell, whose seat at Williams is expected to be filled by Alexandra Albon. Bottas…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

Verstappen delights home Dutch crowd

SPORT

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen absorbed the pressure from both Mercedes cars and won his first Grand Prix in front of the Dutch “Orange army ”. Verstappen took his seventh win of the season from pole, producing a magnificently controlled performance at the whirlwind Zandvoort circuit. A delightful display of fireworks and an orange haze greeted Verstappen as he crossed the line 20 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton and teammate Valterri Bottas, who finished second and third. The lead Red Bull driver now leads the Drivers' Championship standings with 224.5 points to Hamilton's 221.5 though - interestingly - Mercedes leads the constructors'…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Motor racing-Hamilton calls on Hungarians to protect LGBTQ+ rights

LGBT+

Seven-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton spoke out against Hungary's anti-LGBTQ+ legislation ahead of the country's Grand Prix and urged voters to protect rights by rejecting it in a coming referendum. The sport's most successful driver of all time is racing for Mercedes at the Hungaroring near Budapest this weekend in the 11th round of the championship that could bring him a record 100th career win. "Ahead of the Grand Prix this weekend, I want to share my support for those affected by the government's anti-LGBTQ+ law," the Briton posted on Instagram on Thursday. "It is unacceptable, cowardly and…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Hamilton chases 99th win at home Grand Prix

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO SILVERSTONE circuit provided an atmosphere like no other as North-London born Lewis Hamilton breathed life into the Formula one World Championship fight. After receiving a 10-second penalty at the start of the race a collision with pole-sitter Max Verstappen, Hamilton fought back resiliently, passing Charles Leclerc on lap 50. Leclerc had led every lap of the race after the restart following the incident between Hamilton and Verstappen on lap one. The second sector altercation between Verstappen and Hamilton triggered a red flag due to severe damage to the tyre barrier. Leclerc led off the line maintaining his lead…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Sprint qualifying claims first victim

OTHER

FORMULA One’s newly revised sprint qualifying race provided late Saturday entertainment - to the benefit of pole-sitter Max Verstappen. The fiery Red Bull shot through a cannon off the start line to lead championship rival Lewis Hamilton into turn 1. The flying Dutchman retained position after a nervous first lap and will start the British Grand Pirx from the start of the grid. Verstappen’s teammate Perez, after being passed by Norris on lap one, spun out later in the race. Perez, a disappointed figure, earned the title of biggest loser from the inaugural event with the one of fastest cars…

Jun

2021

By The African Mirror

Verstappen flawless at the Red Bull Ring

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO RED Bull’s Max Verstappen eased to victory at the Styrian Grand Prix in Austria. Verstappen, in his first career back-to-back, closed the race with a moment of showmanship over the finish line. Nearest challenger Lewis Hamilton was nearly 35 seconds behind after conceding to a second pitstop to claim the fastest point - and a solitary extra point. The Dutchman has extended his championship lead over Hamilton to 18 points and Red Bull’s lead over Mercedes in the Constructors championship. Verstappen had a good start and, after holding off Hamilton’s Mercedes into turn 1, gradually began to increase…