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Hamilton expecting FIA response to Mugello podium t-shirt

Lewis Hamilton has not spoken to the FIA over wearing a Breonna Taylor t-shirt on the podium at Mugello, but the Briton expects the governing body to issue new rules on protest gestures.

During the Tuscan Grand Prix's pre-race anti-racism ceremony, Hamilton swapped his Black Lives Matter t-shirt for one that protested the wrongful death of Breonna Taylor, with a t-shirt that read "Arrest the cops that killed Breonna Taylor".

Taylor, a 26-year-old black medical technician, was shot last March by plainclothes policemen in her apartment in Louisville, Kentucky. Her death has spurred anti-racism activism in the US and around the world.

Hamilton donned the t-shirt again on the podium, but there was no formal investigation into the gesture by the FIA stewards despite the six-time world champion's potential breach of the FIA's sporting codes.

However, Hamilton is expecting new guidelines to be issued to drivers detailing the limits of what can or cannot be worn, or communicated, during pre-race and post-race events.

The Mercedes driver said he had no regrets about displaying his message, insisting his gesture was one involving human rights and not politics.

"I have no idea, I have not spoken to them," Hamilton said, referring to the FIA's stance on the matter.

"What was really positive was the support that I got from the fans. I think the fans have been amazing, and I don't regret a single moment of it.

"I usually follow my heart and do what I feel is right. I did something that has never really happened in Formula 1.

"Obviously they may stop it from happening moving forwards, but I think people talking about sport not being a place for politics, ultimately it is human rights issues, and in my opinion that is something we should be pushing towards," he added.

"I don't know what they are going to do this weekend, but lots of rules have been written for me over the years that hasn't stopped me. But what I will do is continue to try to work with Formula 1 and the FIA to make sure the messaging is right.

"Could it be better? Of course, it could always be better but that is part of the learning curve."

The FIA followed Hamilton's request for a pre-race anti-racism demonstration which has become a ritual at all races this season. But the Briton is expecting "a new ruling of some sort" to be issued by the governing body on Friday that addresses his protests.

"This is a learning process for everyone, because people have been happy with the norm here, of how life and society has operated," Hamilton said.

"But ultimately, the world, and the younger generation particularly, is more conscious that things aren't equal and changes needed. So it does take conversations with people and things like Mugello happening for people to spark a conversation that perhaps would never have taken place if it didn't happen.

"So I haven't spoken to them. But I've heard that tomorrow they'll come out with a new ruling of some sort, saying what you can and cannot do.

"I'll just try to continue to work with them. Whether or not I agree or disagree is kind of irrelevant. It's just trying to find a common ground and how we can do it together maybe.

"Do I believe that they truly understand? I don't know. But perhaps in the future, we all will try to understand."

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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.

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