Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes were slammed for a sponsor on the driver’s rainbow-coloured helmet that he will wear to show support towards  human rights and the LGBTQ+ community at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion had said that he feels uncomfortable racing at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, describing laws on same-sex relations as ‘terrifying’. 

Hamilton said that the Saudi Arabia GP will see him wear the same rainbow helmet from Qatar, where similar LGBTQ+ and human rights laws exist. 

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However, the 36-year-old and his team – Mercedes – were criticised by the British Housing Minister Michael Gove and  London’s Grenfell Tower fire survivors for a sponsorship deal with a firm – Kingspan – linked to the 2017 disaster. 

Kingspan’s branding is visible on the car. The Irish company that  produces insulation and cladding products is associated with the fire that killed at least 72 people. 

Michael Gove tweeted that he was “deeply disappointed” that Mercedes were taking sponsorship from Kingspan while an inquiry was on-going.

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“I will be writing to Mercedes to ask them to reconsider. The Grenfell community deserves better,” he wrote. 

Earlier, Hamilton had taken a verbal stand against the laws in Saudi Arabia that ban same-sex marriages. 

“As I said at the last race, I felt the sport and we are duty-bound to ensure we try and raise awareness for certain issues, especially human rights in the countries we are going to. With the utmost respect for everyone that is here, I have had a warm respect from everyone here on the ground,” said Hamilton.

The Mercedes driver said that he was uncomfortable participating in Saudi Arabia. 

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“I can’t pretend to ever be the most knowledgeable or have the deepest understanding of anyone who has grown up in the community here. Do I feel comfortable here? I couldn’t say I do, but it isn’t my choice to be here… The sport has taken the choice to be here and whether it is right or wrong, while we are here, I think it is important to raise awareness.”

“You saw my helmet in the last race and I will wear it again here and in the next race. If anyone wants to take time to read what the law is for the LGBT+ community, it is pretty terrifying,” he added.