Hamilton ‘welcomes’ F1 Just Stop Oil protest but issues strict demand to eco mob

Just Stop Oil protesters interrupt second Ashes Test

Lewis Hamilton welcomes peaceful protests from Just Stop Oil at the Austrian Grand Prix but has warned the environmental activist group that they must not put themselves in harm’s way by interfering with the race. The eco mob have targeted several big sporting events this year to spread their message about the importance of halting new fossil fuel licensing and production.

The British Grand Prix was targeted last year when a group of protestors walked onto the track after the race had been suspended due to a crash on the opening lap. Although Hamilton was very clear about his support for the group’s cause, he condemned their dangerous actions and has put out a similar message ahead of the race in Austria.

“I welcome protesters or activists,” he told assembled media, with Silverstone welcoming the next race on July 8. “Always they are pushing for positive change. We never want to see people standing on the track and putting themselves in harm’s way.”

He added: “Protests spark conversation, that sparks dialogue and it often helps – sometimes, done the right way – it sparks change. And we need more change.

“We need to become more sustainable. We need to be more inclusive. There’s all these things that we need to do more of.

“It’s moving at such a fast pace, the industry, that sometimes some of those things fall off and they need to be sparked up again by conversation. So I hope we don’t have the same scenario that we had last [year]. But as I said, I’m always supportive of peaceful protests.”

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Just Stop Oil recently crashed the second test of the 2023 Ashes series at Lord’s and play was briefly interrupted by protestors who ran onto the field with bags of orange powder which they chucked up into the air. 

Security intercepted them before they could reach the wicket while England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow was also on hand to carry one of the activists off the field of play. Three members of the group were later arrested for their part in the protest.

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