Lewis Hamilton is’massively unhappy’ in the way international governments have managed the Gaza conflict. As of right now, estimates place the overall number of deaths from the conflict—which restarted after a temporary ceasefire to facilitate the release of hostages—at close to 17,000.
To put it mildly, Israel’s shelling of Gaza’s civilian population has sparked a number of significant international demonstrations calling for an end to hostilities. According to NBC News, since the violence started on Friday, hundreds more people have died in Gaza, where there have been nearly two million displacements since the conflict started.
Numerous international officials, like as US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, have emphasized that while Israel has the right to self-defense, the first objective should be to stop hostilities.
When questioned last month about the circumstances in Abu Dhabi, Hamilton did not hesitate to voice his displeasure with the way the Gaza issue had been handled. The Mercedes driver said that considering what is going on in the globe, it has been hard for him to concentrate on racing.
When asked if he was aware of the events in Gaza, Hamilton said: “Absolutely, I mean, how can you not? It has been a very strange period for us, because we are in such a bubble here.
“We arrive at all these different places, and there is so much positivity in our little bubble, but it is really hard and difficult to wake up each day knowing that there are thousands of kids dying, and that there is nothing that you can do about it.”The rest of the world just goes on as it is, and it is massively disappointing to see how countries and governments are handling it, and to think where we are in 2023, with everything through history, it doesn’t look like we’ve learnt anything.”
“So to be able to compartmentalise that and just go ahead with doing your job, I think that is difficult. I mean, it is all over social media. There is not a moment, a day that you don’t see something pop up on the news, and you are just trying to remain positive through the darkest time.”Hamilton continued by explaining that he feels “emotionally drained” ahead of the Formula One off-season due to global events, but he is looking forward to some time off before making a comeback for testing in February.”
“I’m not burned out,” he added. “I’d rather not keep going into the season, but I think for me I’m just more emotionally drained at the end of the year. It’s obviously a very long season. I think really with all the negativity in the world as well, it’s been quite draining just to maintain a positive mindset through the year.”
