Lewis Hamilton intends to keep "taking risks" by speaking out about racism

Speaking to The Sunday Times magazine, he said: "I will remember this period of my life as an awakening for society. The death of George Floyd acted like a giant rock dropped in the ocean. It created a ripple effect that spread throughout the world.

"We now have to ensure those ripples don’t fade away. I took risks using my voice and putting my head above the parapet but I intend to keep going in 2021. F1 needs to be more diverse and minorities need more opportunity. Your destination in life shouldn’t be determined by your colour, your religion or where you are from. We should all have the same opportunities."

Meanwhile, the 35-year-old sportsman has vowed to continue to stand up for others and big causes, after racing stars were effectively banned from wearing T-shirts with political statements after he decided to raise awareness of the Breanna Taylor case during the Tuscan Grand Prix.

He shared: "If I believe it is important enough, I will. I will do it again ... Every weekend that I arrive we have the spotlight on us and every weekend there is an opportunity to raise awareness. We don’t live in a time when everything is OK.

"And I remember as I went through the day I was like, ‘OK, I’ve got to win this race. I can’t come second and wear this top.’ So I remember racing my heart out, pushing with every ounce for first place and I remember getting that win and I was like, ‘OK. I’m here for you, Breonna.’ And I put that shirt on and in the 70 years of our sport, no one’s ever stood up there for anything but themselves. And I was standing up there for someone else."