Mercedes driver Hamilton, who learned about the protests against the global use of oil at a press conference after the race, said: “Raise the protesters.”
The 37-year-old, who finished third in the dramatic race, added: “I love that people are fighting for the planet and we need more people like that.”
After the press conference, Mercedes said in a statement that was sent to CNN: “Lewis approved of their right to protest, but not the method they chose, which endangered their safety and the safety of others.”
Later that day, Hamilton took to Instagram to clarify his thoughts.
“As we saw today, this is a very dangerous sport,” he wrote. “I was not aware of today’s protests and while I will always support those who stand up for what they believe in, it must be done safely. Please don’t jump onto our race tracks to protest, we don’t want to hurt you.”
“We offered to hold a peaceful event on the track, but instead they decided to put the lives of drivers, marshals and volunteers at risk. It’s incredibly disappointing that anyone would dare to do this,” he said.
“Fortunately, we had plans for such an eventuality and the group was quickly removed and arrested by our officers.”
“If you are more outraged by this destruction than by the fact that our world is burned before our eyes, then you need to get your priorities right,” the message says.
Both race winner Carlos Sainz and runner-up Sergio Pérez said they supported the cause but criticized the way the protest was conducted.
“I think that people have the opportunity to speak out and demonstrate wherever they want, because it is a right. I just don’t believe that jumping into a F1 circuit is the best way to do it, putting yourself and everyone else at risk.” racers, ”said Ferrari pilot Sainz at the post-race press conference, who announced his first victory.
“So yes, I support this cause, I think Formula 1 has already done a lot of work to try to achieve zero carbon by 2030. And we promote this area, we promote F1 and promote the FIA [motorsport’s governing body] find ways to move in that direction.”
Stefano Domenicali, chief executive of F1, called the actions of the protesters “irresponsible and dangerous”.
“Everyone has the right to speak out on issues, but no one has the right to endanger life,” he told reporters. “The actions of a small group of people today were completely irresponsible and dangerous.
“We thank the police for their excellent work and we should not be content with the risk this poses to the safety of drivers, marshals, fans and the people themselves.”
