Hamilton wouldn't mind Mercedes return to silver livery

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Lewis Hamilton says a return of Mercedes' cars to their original silver livery in 2022 would be a "nice change" that wouldn't impact the team's sustained push for diversity.

Ahead of the start of the Covid-disrupted 2020 season, just a few weeks after the spread from the United States of the 'Black Lives Matter' movement, Mercedes switched its trademark silver livery to a predominantly black scheme.

The dark livery reflected the German manufacturer's support for F1's '#WeRaceAsOne' anti-discriminatory message as well as the Brackley squad's internal push for increased diversity and inclusion.

Hamilton says he would be open to Mercedes reverting to its original colors, insisting the change would not deter from the team's core diversity programs.

"I don’t have a particular feeling towards it," Hamilton said. "I’m not involved in that for next year, and it is originally a Silver Arrows.

"When I asked if we could go to make the car black last year, in terms of the symbolism, and what we intend to do moving forward in terms of support, I wasn’t expecting it to last particularly long, and we carried it into a second season, which is awesome.

"If it goes back, it will be a nice change. It doesn’t deter us from the changes that we are making internally, as we continue to truly push for diversity, even working with all of our partners.

Read also: Hamilton reveals why relationship with Bottas is 'unique'

"Even the other day with UBS, we had these young kids come. [We] try to inspire the next generation of engineers from all different backgrounds.

"We’ve got a good programme going, so it doesn’t make a difference."

Parallel to Mercedes' initiatives, Hamilton launched the Hamilton Commission which undertook a ten-month research study to gauge the under-representation of Black people in the UK motorsport industry.

Meanwhile, Mercedes also activated its 'Accelerate 25' program, a five-year effort that aims for at least 25% of all new starters at the team to come from under-represented groups.

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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.