<p>Lewis Hamilton has said becoming the most successful Formula One driver of all time means nothing unless he can help tackle racism and push for change.</p>.<p>The Mercedes driver became world champion for the seventh time in Turkey on Sunday, equalling the record previously held by Ferrari great Michael Schumacher.</p>.<p>The 35-year-old Briton now has more career wins, pole positions and podiums than the retired German, however, and plans to add to those records.</p>.<p>"Competing and winning championships is a great thing, but what does it really mean? It doesn’t mean anything unless you can help push for change," he told the Guardian newspaper in an interview published on Tuesday.</p>.<p>"I cannot keep silent during this time."</p>.<p>The interview was conducted by Michael Eboda, chief executive of Powerful Media, whose annual Powerlist on Tuesday named Hamilton as Britain's most influential Black person.</p>.<p>He was the only sportsman named in the top 10, which included rapper and philanthropist Stormzy at number three and British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful fifth, and he was the first to top the list.</p>.<p>Hamilton has used his platform more than ever this year to make his voice heard on subjects from racial injustice to diversity and the environment.</p>.<p>The Briton has set up a commission of experts to help increase the representation of Black people in British motorsports, and routinely takes a knee and promotes Black Lives Matter at races.</p>.<p>"It is very symbolic to continue to utilise that platform and use that message," he said.</p>.<p>"And it’s important to continue to do it, to keep awareness, because otherwise this thing could die a quiet death and go back to how it was in the past. So I don’t see this changing for some time."</p>.<p>Hamilton said he wanted to really see a different Formula One in 10 years' time.</p>.<p>"Yes, we have this Black Lives Matter moment and there’s a mic and people are hearing it, but you’ve got to really do the work to activate change," he added.</p>.<p>He said he was talking to F1's commercial rights holders Liberty Media for a long-term role "to try to help them progress in the right direction and continue to bring in new audiences.</p>.<p>"I’ll probably do that as a side job. I honestly couldn’t be more excited about it," he said.</p>.<p>"On one side, I don’t want the time to ever go by fast. On the other, I can’t wait till I start this new chapter of my life." </p>
<p>Lewis Hamilton has said becoming the most successful Formula One driver of all time means nothing unless he can help tackle racism and push for change.</p>.<p>The Mercedes driver became world champion for the seventh time in Turkey on Sunday, equalling the record previously held by Ferrari great Michael Schumacher.</p>.<p>The 35-year-old Briton now has more career wins, pole positions and podiums than the retired German, however, and plans to add to those records.</p>.<p>"Competing and winning championships is a great thing, but what does it really mean? It doesn’t mean anything unless you can help push for change," he told the Guardian newspaper in an interview published on Tuesday.</p>.<p>"I cannot keep silent during this time."</p>.<p>The interview was conducted by Michael Eboda, chief executive of Powerful Media, whose annual Powerlist on Tuesday named Hamilton as Britain's most influential Black person.</p>.<p>He was the only sportsman named in the top 10, which included rapper and philanthropist Stormzy at number three and British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful fifth, and he was the first to top the list.</p>.<p>Hamilton has used his platform more than ever this year to make his voice heard on subjects from racial injustice to diversity and the environment.</p>.<p>The Briton has set up a commission of experts to help increase the representation of Black people in British motorsports, and routinely takes a knee and promotes Black Lives Matter at races.</p>.<p>"It is very symbolic to continue to utilise that platform and use that message," he said.</p>.<p>"And it’s important to continue to do it, to keep awareness, because otherwise this thing could die a quiet death and go back to how it was in the past. So I don’t see this changing for some time."</p>.<p>Hamilton said he wanted to really see a different Formula One in 10 years' time.</p>.<p>"Yes, we have this Black Lives Matter moment and there’s a mic and people are hearing it, but you’ve got to really do the work to activate change," he added.</p>.<p>He said he was talking to F1's commercial rights holders Liberty Media for a long-term role "to try to help them progress in the right direction and continue to bring in new audiences.</p>.<p>"I’ll probably do that as a side job. I honestly couldn’t be more excited about it," he said.</p>.<p>"On one side, I don’t want the time to ever go by fast. On the other, I can’t wait till I start this new chapter of my life." </p>