Lewis Hamilton ‘had a word’ with Saudi Arabian hotel: Women would have the same access to the hotel facilities as the men. Hamilton had had a word.”

Lewis Hamilton has long held a positive reputation for his classy off-track behaviour and his activism.

Formula One journalist Rebecca Clancy has recounted how Lewis Hamilton once made a point of speaking to a Saudi Arabian hotel to ensure that female guests had the same access as male members of the paddock. Hamilton’s intervention came during the trip to the inaugural race at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in 2021 off the back of a private conversation the pair had carried out.

F1 first travelled to Saudi Arabia at the sharp end of the mammoth title battle between Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen with the Grand Prix on Sunday setting the stage for one the most dramatic clashes of the year.

Hamilton showed his class on the track that weekend, overcoming multiple sketchy wheel-to-wheel moments with Verstappen to seal what stands today as his most recent Grand Prix victory. However, the seven-time world champion also demonstrated his morals away from the racetrack that weekend.

In her farewell article for The Times, Clancy explained her experience with the legendary British driver, writing: “I’ve always had a good relationship with Hamilton. I find him polite and engaging and he always looks you in the eye when he answers your questions.

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info

“At this brunch, we were chatting about F1, and Hamilton, who has regularly spoken about the lack of diversity in the sport, turned to me and said: ‘Rebecca, there’s something I wanted to ask you. What’s it like being a woman in F1?’ I told him I never felt I was treated any differently, which I didn’t.

“However, I did mention that I was heading to Saudi Arabia the next day and was slightly hesitant about it because at the media hotel women weren’t allowed to use the pool or the gym. The next day, an email was sent to all media which said women would have the same access to the hotel facilities as the men. Hamilton had had a word.”

Hamilton’s goodwill isn’t just limited to small acts of kindness. The 39-year-old has devoted large amounts of time and money towards charitable causes, including the Mission 44 initiative, which was started off the back of the Hamilton Commission’s findings.

The Mission 44 charity centres around the idea of ‘building a more inclusive education system’ and opening doors into STEM subject career paths for underrepresented backgrounds and communities.