Pierre Gasly commends Lewis Hamilton for his commitment to personal expression and principles, noting the impact it has had on the Formula 1 paddock. Gasly acknowledges Hamilton’s influence in transforming the F1 environment into a more open and expressive space for drivers, citing Hamilton’s stance on wearing his own clothes as an example.
Hamilton’s fashion choices, which often include colorful and unique outfits, have sometimes drawn criticism from fellow racers such as Kimi Raikkonen and Ralf Schumacher. However, Gasly defends Hamilton’s approach, recognizing that he has played a significant role in reshaping the mentality within the sport.
“To be fair, I think you know it’s important to say that without him, it would be different these days,” Gasly told Sky Sports F1 after pointing out Hamilton was the one who introduced the modern F1 dress sense.
Gasly credits Hamilton with introducing a modern sense of style to F1 and believes that his influence has allowed drivers more freedom to express themselves. Gasly himself, along with other drivers like Zhou Guanyu, also appreciates the opportunity to wear casual clothing on the grid, thanks in part to Hamilton’s example.
“Lewis opened a lot of doors for all of us and I think the mentality has changed slightly. I think people have a lot more space to express themselves.”
Despite facing resistance and criticism for his social activism and calls for greater diversity in F1, Hamilton remains committed to his values. Gasly expresses respect for Hamilton’s dedication to staying true to himself, acknowledging that Hamilton’s perseverance has made the path smoother for younger drivers aspiring to break into the sport.
In essence, Gasly recognizes Hamilton’s role as a trailblazer in F1, not only in terms of racing but also in promoting personal expression and social awareness within the sport.
