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According to the new rules of the Fia, only Valtteri Bottas gets it right here, Lewis Hamilton not
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The world motor sport association Fia has set new rules for the clothing of drivers before and after the race, which prohibit world champion Lewis Hamilton from wearing T-shirts with messages.
After his victory at the Tuscan Grand Prix two weeks ago, the Brit wore a black T-shirt reminiscent of a black woman who was shot by police officers.
The front read "Arrested the cops who killed Breonna Taylor" and the back had a photo of Taylor with the words "Says Her Name".
The six-time world champion also wore Black Lives Matter T-shirts again and again, for example in anti-racism campaigns organized by the Fia and thus officially approved.
In the future, drivers will have to wear uniform T-shirts with the message "End Racism" for those actions before the races.
Individual gestures are allowed - if they comply with the statutes
Political statements were previously banned, according to Fia.
Now it is said that the drivers can still choose their own gestures, but "in accordance with the basic principles" of the Fia statutes.
Suggestions include kneeling or standing with arms crossed or head bowed.
For the time after the races it means that the first three drivers have to wear their racing suits closed up to their necks during the entire formal part, including interviews, and on the podium.
And thus not half-openly, as has been seen for years without political messages underneath.
All other drivers must also remain in full team gear during TV interviews.
Hamilton, the only black driver in Formula 1, said on Thursday that he would not stop working against racism and for equality and that he would continue to use his platform to raise awareness of issues that are close to his heart lie.
"People say that sport is not a place for politics. Ultimately, it's about human rights, and I think that's something that we should move forward," he said. "Over the years, a lot of rules have been written for me, and that didn't stop me. "
Before the race in Sochi (1:10 p.m., live ticker SPIEGEL.de), Hamilton was the only one who wore a Black Lives Matter T-shirt instead of the "End Racism" shirt.
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