Lewis Hamilton: I support 'peaceful' 'Just Stop the Oil' protests, but please don't endanger lives

'We hope that if [the protest] should have happened, it won't happen' Lewis Hamilton speaks ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix Photo: Getty Images/Dan Mullan

Lewis Hamilton says he will «support the peaceful protests» of Just Stop Oil campaigners at this weekend's British Grand Prix, but warned them not do this. intrude on the track as fears of a potentially catastrophic intrusion on the track grow.

After Wimbledon became the latest target of climate change protesters on Wednesday, F1 drivers were asked about the prospect of the group's re-run at Silverstone.

Five protesters managed to gain access to the track on the first lap of last year's race by boarding on Wellington Street, the fastest section of the race track. Thankfully, the Grand Prix had already been red-flagged after a spectacular high-speed crash in Turn 1 involving Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu, and several cars were still pitting at lower speeds when they faced protest. In March, those responsible were sentenced to suspended prison terms.

When asked if he would support a protest that did not involve people who had invaded the track, Hamilton replied: “Yes. I support peaceful protests.»

«We hope we have learned from the experience (of the past year). This weekend we have 100 more marshals to support this from happening.

“From my point of view and from the point of view of my team, we are focused on sustainability and believe in what the people [protesters] are fighting for and we are making that change as a sport.

Video of protesters invading the track during the first lap.

If not for the alarm about the accident, it could be a horror for many people. #BritishGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/8HaGmoFLNn

— Helena Hicks (@_HelenaHicks) July 3, 2022

“But safety comes first. We don't want to put them in danger, and we don't want to put anyone else in danger. We hope that if [the protest] was supposed to take place, it will not take place.”

London-born Williams driver Alex Albon said he expected some kind of incident. «The chances of something happening this week are high,» he admitted.

«It's worrying because invading the field is one thing, but with cars and moving parts, it gets a bit more dangerous in some way.

McLaren driver Lando Norris added: “I said it in an interview the other day, you have to accept what people want to do. But I don't think it can happen at races like this.

«If it happens in the paddock — I hope it doesn't — but if it does, then I guess everyone it might be different. But you can't do it on a race track because it endangers people's lives. I'm not sure they understand the implications, but the implications are pretty extreme. This also has implications for drivers.”