Lewis Hamilton MISSES Formula One's anti-racism display before the Italian Grand Prix as he's caught running late to take the knee - leaving a hole in the line-up of drivers

  • Six-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton was late to the anti-racism message
  • Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel was also not present as drivers took the knee
  • The line-up in opposition to racism has been customary this year before a raceĀ 
  • Hamilton has been a vocal supporter of the Black Lives Matter movementĀ Ā 

Lewis Hamilton was mysteriously missing from the line-up of Formula One drivers taking the knee before the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday.Ā 

Mercedes driver Hamilton, as well as Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, were late to the anti-racism message before the start of the race. SportsmailĀ have contacted Mercedes for comment.Ā 

As has become customary before the start of a race this season, drivers have gathered in opposition to racism. But at Monza on Sunday, six-time world champion Hamilton was nowhere to be seen in his usual position at the front of the pack, as he was seemingly running late.

Lewis Hamilton was mysteriously missing from the line-up of F1 drivers taking the knee

Lewis Hamilton was mysteriously missing from the line-up of F1 drivers taking the knee

The TV footage showed a gaping hole at the front of the line-up, usually occupied by Hamilton

The TV footage showed a gaping hole at the front of the line-up, usually occupied by Hamilton

Hamilton was caught running late but did show up for the rest of the anti-racism display

Hamilton was caught running late but did show up for the rest of the anti-racism displayĀ 

But Hamilton, who has been a vocal supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement ever since it rose to global prominence following the death of George Floyd in May, did show up for the rest of the anti-racism display, as did Vettel.Ā Ā 


Before the race, Hamilton again wore a Black Lives Matter t-shirt as he continues to lead the way for change in the sport.Ā Ā 

Hamilton has used his platforms to condemn racial injustice with incidents such as the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and more recently the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.Ā 

Hamilton has been a vocal supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement this year

Hamilton has criticised the lack of racial diversity in his own sporting discipline on Instagram

Hamilton has criticised the lack of racial diversity in his own sporting discipline on Instagram

The six-time world champion had taken a knee ahead of every Formula One race this season

The six-time world champion had taken a knee ahead of every Formula One race this season

Back in June, Hamilton gave his full support to protesters in Bristol who pulled down the statue of slave trader Edward Colston, before throwing it into the harbour.Ā 

The 35-year-old most recentlyĀ revealed the emotional toll 2020 has taken on him so far, with the Mercedes driver confessing he is 'feeling a lot of weight' on his heart.Ā 

The death of actor Chadwick Boseman, who was widely known for playing the role of superhero Black Panther, ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix last week hit Hamilton hard as he 'broke down' before pulling it together to win the race in his honour.Ā 

Hamilton described Boseman as a man who 'moved a generation' and the six-time champion's pain is the latest hurdle he has been forced to overcome in an emotionally exhausting few months.Ā 

Lewis Hamilton revealed he is 'feeling a lot of weight' on his heart as he processes the death of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, who he dedicated his Belgian Grand Prix win to

Lewis Hamilton revealed he is 'feeling a lot of weight' on his heart as he processes the death of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, who he dedicated his Belgian Grand Prix win to

But after taking his fifth race win from the opening seven races of the season, Hamilton candidly opened up on the troubles he is facing emotionally in such a turbulent period.Ā 

'When you're watching the news, you see what's happening around the world and I feel really quite affected by it,' he told Sky Sports F1.Ā 

'And then obviously I was so incredibly proud when Chadwick was Black Panther because as I mentioned all the reasons yesterday, as a kid, dreaming of super heroes and finally see someone, a super hero of a similar colour to me, was really just such a remarkable moment, I think, for the black community.

Hamilton paid tribute on social media toĀ Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman

Hamilton paid tribute on social media toĀ Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman

'So when I woke up and I got the news from a friend who has said I'm crying writing this message to you about Chad, and then reading the news I just broke down. I remember, just trying to pull it together and make sure I delivered on that day.'Ā 

However, missing the start of the anti-racism formation on Sunday did not effect Hamilton, as he cruised into a comfortable lead at the start of the Italian Grand Prix.Ā 

Vettel, meanwhile, crashed out on lap eight as he dramatically smashed through a set of barriers on turn one.Ā Ā 

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