Hamilton recalls Qatar GP 'risk': I didn't care if they threw me in jail

Lewis Hamilton provided a 'risk-taking' recollection of the time he sported a rainbow-liveried crash helmet at the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix.

The Mercedes driver has been a leading voice in pushing for diversity and equality in Formula 1 and wider society, kickstarting the sport's own reflection on matters and leading to a number of initiatives being put in place.

Whilst Hamilton had adorned a number of different t-shirts of protest during #WeRaceAsOne moments ahead of grands prix in 2020 and 2021, one instance came at the Qatar GP when he comPeted with a rainbow-liveried helmet design.

Speaking in a video celebrating 10 years with Mercedes, the seven-time champion explained: "For me, it is mindblowing that we live in a time still where there are so many countries around the world but particularly... there are a lot of human rights issues in the Middle East.

"Women's rights, LGBT rights - there are laws that restrict people from being their true selves.

"I have always been a risk taker. 'I am going to do this whether or not they throw me in jail, I don't care what they are going to do, I am going to stand for something I believe in even if it kills me'.

"I know it sounds crazy but like... 'I need to do this' to show people how important it is and spark those conversations out there, put those in power on edge and feel like they need to have conversations about making change because it brings negativity to their country.

"I did it and I won the race. My drive was like 'I have got to get to the top of the podium because then that will make the biggest bang' and I did."