Austrian Grand Prix: Several F1 drivers refuse to take knee for anti-racism movement
Australian Daniel Ricciardo says the six Formula One drivers who refused to take a knee before the Austrian Grand Prix won’t be judged with several in the pitlane irritated by comments from Lewis Hamilton.
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Lewis Hamilton has insisted his fight against racism is “about equality and not politics or promotion” after six drivers refused to join the Formula One world champion in taking a knee before the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix.
Hamilton, the only black driver in the sport, wore a Black Lives Matter T-shirt, while other drivers, who all lined up with him at the front of the grid, sported black tops saying “End racism”.
However, six of the 20 drivers remained standing during the protest before the Austrian national anthem.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen had confirmed a split among drivers when they said they would not take a knee.
They were joined by Carlos Sainz of McLaren, Danil Kvyat of Alpha Tauri, Antonio Giovinazzi and his Alfa Romeo teammate, former world champion Kimi Raikkonen.
“Today was an important day for me and all the people out there who are working for and hoping for change, for a more equal and just society,” Hamilton wrote on Instagram after the race in which he finished fourth.
“I may get criticism in the media and elsewhere, but this fight is about equality, not politics or promotion.
“To me it was an emotional and poignant chapter in the progress of making F1 a more diverse and inclusive sport.”
It’s understood that Hamilton had irritated some of his rivals by suggesting they “lacked understanding” of the issues.
Hamilton had explained his views to his fellow drivers before the race, claiming that silence is “generally complicit”.
“No-one is perfect but if we all chip in and do our part, we can see change. I truly believe that,” the 35-year-old added in his Instagram post.
In a statement on Twitter before the race, Leclerc said: “All 20 drivers stand united with their teams against racism and prejudice, at the same time embracing the principles of diversity, equality and inclusion, supporting F1’s and FIA’s commitment.
“I believe that what matters are facts and behaviours in our daily life rather than formal gestures that could be seen as controversial in some countries.
I believe that what matters are facts and behaviours in our daily life rather than formal gestures that could be seen as controversial in some countries. I will not take the knee but this does not mean at all that I am less committed than others in the fight against racism.
— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) July 5, 2020
I am very committed to equality and the fight against racism. But I believe everyone has the right to express themself at a time and in a way that suits them. I will not take the knee today but respect and support the personal choices every driver makes #WeRaceAsOne #EndRacism
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) July 5, 2020
“I will not take the knee but this does not mean at all that I am less committed than others in the fight against racism.”
Verstappen tweeted: “I am very committed to equality and the fight against racism.
“But I believe everyone has the right to express themselves at a time and in a way that suits them. I will not take the knee today but respect and support the personal choices every driver makes.”
It is believed that some of the drivers have been upset by Hamilton equating “silence” with a supposed level of unconscious racism in the F1 paddock.
Haas driver Kevin Magnussen said: “I intend to kneel – not so much because I support the Black Lives Matter organisation, but more because I want to support the worldwide movement against racism and discrimination.”
“I hope no special group or organisation takes ownership of it.”
Six-time world champion Hamilton has been an outspoken supporter of the movement and last month launched his own Hamilton Commission to identify causes of motorsport’s lack of diversity.
Hamilton downplayed the situation, declaring drivers did not have to join.
“I am aware of some opinions of some drivers but ultimately nobody should be forced into a scenario where they have to kneel.
“I never requested or demanded anybody to take the knee. I never brought it up. It was brought up by Formula One and the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association.
“I let everyone have their say and then I opened up to them and said ‘guys, I will be doing it but you do what you think is right’.
“I am really grateful to those who did kneel along with me. It is still a powerful message but ultimately whether you did or didn’t kneel, it is not going to change the world.
“It is a much bigger issue across the world but for me personally, everyone had their own personal choice.”
Daniel Ricciardo said some drivers did not kneel due to perception in their country.
“The chat with the drivers was essentially saying all of us are 100 per cent on board with supporting it and ending racism. None of us our anti this, so we all support this,” Ricciardo said.
“I just think there was a little bit of difficulty with some drivers and their nationality, and what something like taking a knee would represent.
“Obviously the reasons why we would do it is purely to support Black Lives Matter. It is for nothing political or anything else.
“But there is a little bit of a fine line with some drivers and their nationalities and how it is perceived.
“We heard all of them, all their opinions, and we are not going to try to put anyone in jeopardy. We all understood that we will do what we feel comfortable with.
“But no one is going to be judged or criticised if they don’t stand there in a certain way or take a knee.”
The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) issued a statement on Saturday claiming drivers were united in opposing racism, but supporting each individual in being free to choose how to express their positions.
Jean Todt, president of Formula One’s ruling body, FIA, told reporters at Spielberg, however, sport should be wary of allowing itself to be used by political influences.
“Sometimes there is a tendency to use it as a weapon and we have to be very careful of that, but I admire people who have conviction and do as much as they can,” he said.
The debate over taking a knee came as FIA pledged to give one million euros ($1.1m) to the sport’s new ‘We Race As One’ diversity foundation.
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Originally published as Austrian Grand Prix: Several F1 drivers refuse to take knee for anti-racism movement