Franco Morbidelli says he wanted to tackle racism with his Spike Lee-inspired MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix helmet design as it is “important to remember we are all the same”.
Racism and diversity have been a topic at the forefront in sport in 2020 in light of the Black Lives Matter protests which erupted following the death of George Floyd while in police custody in America in May. A police officer has since been charged with Floyd’s murder.
Formula 1 set up its We Race As One initiative to tackle the issue, while Mercedes changed to black liveries to show its support for the message – with Lewis Hamilton the most vocal voice in motorsport pushing for change.
MotoGP has been conspicuous in its lack of similar messaging this year.
As is traditional for Italian riders at their home events, Morbidelli was one of several to debut a special design on Saturday which featured himself depicted as a character from the Spike Lee film ‘Do the Right Thing’ – a film which tackles racism.
Morbidelli also has the word ‘equality’ printed in numerous languages on the back of his helmet.
Explaining his new helmet design, Morbidelli said: “When I decided to make a special helmet for this event, I wanted to deal with a big matter and a big topic, which is racism.
“But I wanted to also hug the whole 2020 year, because this 2020 started in a really bad way and many, many not likeable things happened in the world in 2020.
“But, we are trying to put up a show for the audience and we are trying to make the audience feel good.
“So, I wanted to treat the topic with some lightness, not being heavy.
“And there is a Spike Lee movie that treats this matter in a great, it’s called ‘Do the Right Thing’.
“There is the character that at one point in the movie just says ‘stop all the BS’, stop hating each other, and he calls it ‘time out’.
“So I wanted to put myself in his clothes and stamp myself on the helmet.
“And also, I wanted to send an equality message [on the back] in different languages because I think it’s one of the most important things to remember.
“I think it’s important to remember that we are all the same.
“The coronavirus reminded us this in a bad way, but we need to remember it also for the good days.
“So, I think it was the best message to send and in the lightest way possible.”
Morbidelli will start Sunday’s San Marino Grand Prix from second on the grid between poleman Maverick Vinales and SRT team-mate Fabio Quartararo.