Lewis Hamilton has said becoming the most successful Formula One driver of all time is meaningless unless he can help tackle racism and push for social change.
The Mercedes driver on Sunday won the Turkish Grand Prix and with it a record-equalling seventh F1 drivers' title to move level with Ferrari great Michael Schumacher.
The Englishman, 35, now has more career wins, pole positions and podiums than the retired German, however, and few would bet against him adding to those records.
"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.
"I cannot keep silent during this time. I decided that I have to use this platform. There are so many people out there who are struggling and so many who have experienced what I have experienced, and worse."
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.
He was the only sportsman named in the top 10.
Hamilton has been the driving force in F1 to highlight racial injustice as well as push for diversity in F1 and champion environment issues.
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 on the grid before each race.
"It is very symbolic to continue to utilise that platform and use that message," he said.
"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."
Hamilton said he wanted to really see a different Formula One in 10 years' time. 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.
"I’ll probably do that as a side job. I honestly couldn’t be more excited about it," he said.
"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."
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Hamilton joins stars who dominated their sport
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
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