Lewis Hamilton defends 'take a knee' NFL protests

Lewis Hamilton

40

World championship leader Lewis Hamilton has defended the peaceful protests by players from the American National Football League.

Teams across the United States reacted this weekend to President Trump's rant last week about players who took the knee during the national anthem, calling on NFL owners to fire players who protest.

Hamilton: "I've thought about retirement and the future..."

Hamilton, Formula 1's first black driver, posted on Sunday on his Instagram account a picture of Martin Luther King Jr. with the hashtag #takeaknee in support for players and athletes who opt to kneel during the "The Star Spangled Banner".

The Mercedes driver took to Instagram again on Monday, posting a picture of football player Colin Kaepernick who protested racial inequality last year, and encouraging his fans to educate themselves on the current matter.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.