Through a post on Instagram, Lewis Hamilton lamented Formula 1's sustained lack of diversity, calling for change in the sport as it moves forward.
"There is barely any diversity in F1, still nothing’s changed in 11 years I’ve been here," the 33-year-old commented on his social media account on Thursday, embedding a video in which he pans through the Melbourne paddock, showing the scenery.
"Kids, people, there’s so many jobs in this sport of which anybody no matter your ethnicity or background can make it and fit in."
The four-time world champion grew up in a modest council house in Stevenage, Great Britain, working his way up motorsport's ladder with dignity and brilliance to become F1's first black driver to win the world title, and one of the highest paid athletes in the world.
Historically, representation in Formula 1 has always been balanced towards the European and South American continents, with only a few participants from Asia and not a single driver from Africa.
Grand Prix racing's door remains open to all however, and indeed a great deal of diversity can be found in many other areas of the sport.
At the beginning of last year, two women, Claire Williams and Monisha Kaltenborn were both at the helm of F1 teams, respectively Williams and Sauber.
The Formula One Group has not responded to Hamilton's post on social media.
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