As a George fan, I am dying a little bit this season, but I just want to say, George has a legacy beyond just racing.
he’s brought to attention so much prejudice, openly petitioning for basic necessities and hygiene supply not just for racers, but also for women and non-men around the paddock, such as bathroom and shower access.
He’s openly supported to role of women in f1, and in 2021 he was one of the only drivers who was there for the only non-driver representative on the GDPA, Anastasia Fowles, when she was promoted because she was “good for the space,” and as Susie Wolff commented, “good for the future of women here”
He’s born the weight of being catcalled, taunted with derogatory names meant to debase him for being ‘too feminine’ and he turned it into a fond nickname for true fans and a space where less masculine fans feel safe.
he’s known among garages as earnest, and the paddock as awkward and not-cool, because he tries but he isn’t an asshole because that’s what sells. He fought with Lewis for his right to express whatever (including lgbtq+ and political opinions) even though it wasn’t his fight.
him and his girlfriend are currently making a skincare brand where he says he “plans on just being the model and letting Carmen really do it all” and “she can have the spot light I will cheer her on and have amazing skin”
he’s not perfect, but his impact is felt by so many in a totally silent way every race. Hannah Schmidt, the engineer of his mortal enemy, defended his role in the gdpa after fans asked if his authority led to bias with penalties, saying “his role off track is purely for the benefit of everyone else here. I can speak on that. ”
No matter how this season ends, I will be a George fan. He’s a good driver, but he’s not just a good driver. He doesn’t need to win for me to be proud of him. I look forward to more wins, more of him showing up for his f1academy girls, more of him being a diva and not ashamed, more of him “whining” for people who have been told they’re “emotional” and “over dramatic” and “whining” just because they’re not a white man.
AND HE IS A WHITE MAN. he has nothing at stake here, nothing to gain, only sleep to lose and hate to bear for it. He has all my love.
