Lewis Hamilton has told F1 drivers to stop radio abuse, saying that it sends a wrong message to the kids watching.
F1 radio comms are one of the best things in the sport, giving insight into what is going on between the drivers and their teams. However, when things don’t look good, the drivers resort to swearing on the radio, and often deliver explicit rants.
Although it is hugely entertaining to watch, too much of something is never a good thing. The broadcasters also have to censor out the parts which contain abusive language. There are some things they can’t cut out, like Max Verstappen giving Hamilton the finger recently.
Hamilton told F1 drivers to stop radio abuse, and stated that it could send out the wrong message to those watching the sport.
“I’ve been here for a long time so it’s not my first rodeo but I think at the core of everything has to be respect,” he said, as quoted by Planet F1.
“When I think about, and I hear things that come out of driver’s mouths, I do think about the young kids. There are kids watching us and they’re looking for inspiration and for guidance.
“There has been a lot of things that have been said which are definitely not good for young kids that are watching.
“For me, I just try to remain positive, keep calm and again, just be respectful to the drivers that I am fighting. If I have a name in my head of what I think they are, I don’t share that.
“But it’s pretty easy for me. You laugh it off and move forwards.”
Leading the charge
Hamilton is a driver who uses swear words very rarely. In fact, you will be hard pressed to catch him utter expletives on radio.
When asked what he could be doing to help those who wish to join F1, he said, “If I can lead by example.
“We have no doubt a lot of youngsters that are racing are looking at what I do and what I say and that is important for me.”
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