What clicks in the human mind to go from interested to inspired? A novel about F1 did it for me. The acting of Damson Idris did it for my nephew.
I have been a fan of Formula One racing long before it became the “new, cool thing.” For a few decades, in fact.
Back in college, I read a novel by Alistair MacLean – arguably the greatest storyteller of his time – titled “The Way to Dusty Death.” The novel revolves entirely around F1 with the sports' fictional premier driver trying to solve a mystery on the side. As soon as I finished the book, I dived head-first into the sport as a new fan.
Flash ahead to May 2015 when I was able to attend the FI race in Monte Carlo. I arrived several days early as I wanted to watch some of the practice laps. More importantly, I wanted to observe two drivers: British driver Lewis Hamilton and Dutch phenom Max Verstappen. At that time, Hamilton already had two world championships – out of his seven. Verstappen – who now has four world championships - was 17.
For the few years prior to my attending that race, Hamilton was “my guy.” He and his life story resonated with me like no other driver.
As a white child in the Boston area, I grew up in abject poverty and was homeless often. By the time I was 17, I had been evicted from 34 homes. A number of those evictions landed us in the housing projects that had Black majorities.
Those are circumstances which to this day I consider a true blessing as I witnessed that “Black America” was a great America. My enduring heroes and role models became the single Black mothers I knew who worked two or three jobs to provide for their children while sacrificing their personal needs.
Lewis Hamilton overcame tremendous odds, racism to become F1 star
Lewis Hamilton came from a world I knew well. No one gave him a thing and he overcame tremendous odds – and flat-out ugly racism – to become the success and role model he is today. It's a story not only laudable, but truly inspiring.
It is the “inspiring” aspect of Hamilton’s life and career I would like to focus upon. Flash ahead to just three weeks ago when my nephew Antonio, who is mixed race like Hamilton, kept calling, texting and begging me to go see the now-hit movie “F1” with him. A film that not only stars Brad Pitt but has Hamilton as one of its producers.
Antonio not only knew Hamilton's background but also knew that to this day, Hamilton is the only Black driver ever to race F1. More than that, he knew that the co-star of the film was Black British actor Damson Idris, who – along with Pitt – turns in a phenomenal performance.
What clicks in the human mind to go from interested to inspired? Decades ago, a novel about F1 did it for me. Today, the story of Lewis Hamilton and the acting of Damson Idris did it for my nephew. He is now devouring all he can read and watch about the sport.
One week after seeing the movie with my nephew, I took my wife and her sister to see it. The middle and back of the theater was all but full so my wife and her sister took two seats there and I grabbed one in the very front.
No sooner did I sit down than six young boys sat down directly in front of me. Two were Black, one appeared to be Hispanic-American and the other three were white. Amazingly, all were wearing some type of F1 gear with two wearing “retro” gear from the 90s.
As the film progressed, they talked incessantly among themselves. As we were at the very front of the theater, they were bothering no one. That said, I could hear every word.
They spoke about Hamilton. They spoke about Verstappen. They spoke about Idris. Whenever the film made a quick cut to the faces of Hamilton and Verstappen, the six would cheer and applaud. When Pitt’s character “Sonny Hayes” defiantly walks back onto a track toward the end of the film, the boys cheered again. To a point Hamilton has made for years, diversity in the sport will bring in a larger fan base.
After the film ended and the credits rolled, I leaned over and broke the ice with the six by complimenting them on their F1 gear. They all turned to face me with smiles and “thanks.” I then asked how old they were? The youngest was 12 and the oldest was 14.
As the worldwide box office for "F1" continues its climb to half-a-billion dollars and increased critical acclaim, I would offer that its greatest success was reflected in the faces and growing passion of those six boys from diverse backgrounds in a small-town movie theater. For it is through them, that the future of F1 will be projected.
Douglas MacKinnon is a former White House and Pentagon official and author of the book: The 56 – Liberty Lessons from those who risked all to sign The Declaration of Independence.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 'F1:The Movie' greatest success can be seen in faces of diverse audience
Category: General Sports
