LEWIS HAMILTON has blasted the FIA’s decision to hire Vitaly Petrov as a steward for this weekend’s Portuguese Grand Prix after the Russian’s outspoken remarks.
Last month, the former F1 racer was quoted by Russian publication Championat, criticising Hamilton’s anti-racism stance as being “too much”.
Petrov is also quoted as saying “let’s say a driver admits to being gay – will they come out with a rainbow flag and urge everyone to become gay as well?”
put those quotes to Hamilton ahead of this weekend’s race and the world champion said he was shocked to see him appointed by the FIA as part of their four-man panel who effectively referee the race.
He said: “I have not seen all the quotes, and you have just recited some of them.
“Of course, it is a surprise to see that they are hiring someone who has those beliefs and is so vocal about things we are trying to fight against.
“You should take it up with the FIA because there is nothing I can particularly do about.”
Formula One launched its ‘WeRaceAsOne’ campaign ahead of this season to promote diversity and inclusion, however the Russian’s views seem to oppose that stance.
Hamilton added: “We should definitely be including people here who are with the times, understanding of the times we are living in and sensitive to the matters that are surrounding us.
“So I don’t really quite understand what the FIA’s goal is or why particularly he is here because it is not like they don’t have other options.”
Hamilton’s teammate, Valtteri Bottas, said: “Obviously I also haven’t heard any of those quotes and I don’t know them in detail so it’s tough to say.
“But I think as Lewis said we all should have the same mindset for the things that we are pushing on.”
Meanwhile, Mick Schumacher has shot straight to the top of Haas’ wishlist after the F1 team failed to offer Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean new deals.
Schumacher is currently leading the Formula 2 championship and, if he wins it, the rules mean that he cannot remain in the series.
Schumacher, the son of seven-time world champion Michael, is part of the Ferrari academy but the Italian team have already signed Carlos Sainz to partner Charles Leclerc next season.
So Ferrari will look to park the German at either Haas or Alfa Romeo in 2021 so he can get some F1 experience.
Haas have now cleared the decks in the hope of securing Schumacher’s signature, although other options include Sergio Perez, Nico Hulkenberg, British racer Callum Ilott and Nikita Mazepin, the son of Russian billionaire Dmitry Mazepin.
