Formula One Drivers Punished Over Shirts Supporting LGBTQ+ Rights

British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton has come to the defense of German driver Sebastian Vettel for not removing a T-shirt in support of LGBTQ+ rights before the national anthem played at the Hungarian Grind Prix in Budapest over the weekend.

Vettel and several other drivers were reprimanded by the league, Reuters reported.

The four-time world champion driver wore a rainbow-colored T-shirt on Sunday that read "Same Love." Drivers Valtteri Bottas, Carlos Sainz, and Vettel's teammate Lance Stroll were reprimanded for not removing their T-shirts that read "We Race As One."

The T-shirt "We Race As One" comes from a program started by the racing league last year that supports diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Vettel explained that due to the rain at the race, they forgot to take off the shirts, reported Reuters.

Formula One drivers can wear the T-shirts and other apparel that is connected to the initiative, but drivers were told that they must take off that apparel before the national anthem played.

According to The Guardian, Hamilton wrote in a now-deleted post on Instagram, "Super proud of this guy. There is no rule that says what color shirt you can wear and supporting the LGBTQ+ community is not repremandable [sic]. This is bs. Well done, Seb. I'll join you next time with the same shirt."

Hamilton later reposted a message: "Love to see this Seb supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Love always wins."

Last Thursday, Vettel wore shoes with a rainbow stripe, according to Reuters. The driver has spoken out against the recent Hungarian legislation that bans representations of LGBTQ+ people from minors.