F1 star Lewis Hamilton says Florida's treatment of LGBTQ people makes racing there 'no different than Saudi Arabia'

• F1 star Lewis Hamilton says racing in Florida is "no different" from Saudi Arabia.
• He says it's similar because of Florida's restrictive legislation targeting the LGBTQ community.

F1 star Lewis Hamilton compared his upcoming race in Florida to racing in Saudi Arabia and said he'll have a rainbow on his helmet to protest the state's anti-LGBTQ measures.

Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix that starts on Friday, Hamilton voiced his disapproval of Florida's recent legislation targeting the LGBTQ community, like Ron DeSantis' so-called "Don't Say Gay" law, which bans lessons on sexual orientation in schools.

"It's not good at all," Hamilton told Associated Press. "I stand by those within the community here. I hope they continue to stand firm and push back. I'll have the rainbow on my helmet. It's no different to when we were in Saudi."

Hamilton, who's from the UK and is the only Black driver in F1, frequently wears a rainbow flag on his helmet when he races in countries with restrictive laws targeting the LGTBQ community, the AP reported.

And now, he's put Florida in the same group as places like Saudi Arabia, where, according to the Human Dignity Trust, people in the LGBTQ community have faced discrimination and persecution.

"I do not agree with it, and I do not support it," Hamilton told the AP of Florida's anti-LGBTQ agenda. "I just really want to continue to support the community here, and let them know I stand with them and I hope they continue to fight against it."