Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton has been told that he is "on his own" in expressing opinions on important social subjects such as discrimination.
During the off-season, the FIA changed their rules and drivers must now seek prior permission before making a "political, religious or personal statement". Hamilton has slammed the rule as "going in the wrong direction" and feels it is the opposite of what he has been trying to do with his platform and status.
Despite the new ruling, Hamilton wore a race helmet at the season opening Bahrain Grand Prix which featured a rainbow flag in support of the LGBT+ community.
Former Red Bull and Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel also highlighted environmental and other social justice issues during his time in the sport.
Former head of communications at McLaren, Matt Bishop, has opened up about how Hamilton supported his German rival and has urged other drivers to fill the void the former Red Bull driver left when he retired last season.
"He absolutely saw Lewis as someone he could confide in and who he could seek council from," said Bishop talking to Sky Sports.
"I think it was mutual and they both saw each other as someone who 'gets it' in the same way. I would now like some of the other drivers to consider whether they could perhaps fill the void that Sebastien has vacated or created. Lewis is a tiny bit on his own now."
Previously, the seven-time world champion has questioned racial politics in F1 and spoke publicly about Bahrain's human rights record. Bishop believes that the FIA will fail in their attempts to keep Hamilton quiet on political subjects.
"Anyone who thinks that it's a good idea to try and prevent the most successful driver in the history of Formula One and its only black driver from speaking out about human rights," added Bishop. "Good luck with that."
Bishop was recruited by McLaren in 2007 which coincided with Hamilton making his F1 debut for the team. The young Brit became the first black F1 driver.
"He was not only the only black driver in the sport, but the only black driver ever in the sport," added Bishop.
"I think he did feel rather a bit of a loner as a result. I don't know what it's like to be a black man, but I am a gay man and both of those things are extremely rare in Formula One."
