Lewis Hamilton says the threat of “potential consequences” prompted him to opt against wearing a Colin Kaepernick tribute helmet back in 2017.
The Formula 1 driver revealed this information after last weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, according to ESPN.
The planned tribute was to rock a Kaepernick-themed helmet for the race, and Hamilton didn’t exactly get too specific with who exactly the person behind the threat was.
“I was advised from outside, from someone in the States who was really quite high up, that it wasn’t the time for me to be doing so,” he said, per ESPN. “There were potential consequences for me doing it. So that’s why they advised me not to do it.”
“I don’t remember who else was involved. It’s not particularly important. I do still have that helmet that I’ve done for Colin. And I did speak to Colin about it, who was super supportive.
Hamilton has since led demonstrations from Formula One drivers where a group of drivers kneeled before a recent race and Hamilton wore a Black Lives Matter shirt.
“I’m grateful that I was able to do it last weekend [take the knee], and continue on the great movement I think he initially started [that] so many are continuing on today.”
