He's not a hypocrite because he isn't saying that he would be a JSO protester. He's saying that JSO protesters are valid, even though he wouldn't do it himself. It's a version of: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
In this case, the "say it" is unbalanced - on the one hand, you have oil companies with loads of money and therefore a large platform saying don't worry, everything is alright, believe us. On the other hand, you have individuals who, without a protest, have no platform. The protest gives some amplification for the protesters.
For what it's worth ... I wouldn't be a protester myself, I still have nice cars and take flights to foreign holidays for leisure purposes for example. But I can allow JSO without agreeing with it. That said, sitting on the Silverstone track while cars are running is stupid and should not be allowed. We don't want another Emily Davison. But harmless protest - throwing confetti on Wimbledon - is annoying but fair enough if they want to accept the consequences.