F1 drivers explain their views on British GP anti-racism stand

Formula 1 is set to organise an anti-racism protest before Sunday’s British Grand Prix following Lewis Hamilton’s criticism of the sport’s approach to the matter.

Hamilton expressed frustration after the last race in Hungary for a rushed and disjointed anti-racism message, with several drivers arriving late and others opting not to follow the six-times world champion in taking a knee.

The Briton spoke with F1 and FIA chiefs ahead of the first of two consecutive races at Silverstone, as well as GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers’ Association) chairman Romain Grosjean in the break between rounds.

F1 has subsequently acted by allocating a specific time slot prior to Sunday’s race for an official demonstration to take place, similar to the organised move ahead of the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix.

Ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix, the drivers were questioned on the matter during Thursday’s media day at Silverstone. Here are some of the drivers views…

Lewis Hamilton: “At the last race I said I was going to speak to the heads of the sport and try to engage with them and see how we can move forwards more united and better.

"I spent time talking to Alex [Wurz], spoke to Jean [Todt] and so we are all united at the GPDA. I spent time speaking to Jean, to Chase [Carey] and Ross [Brawn] and had great conversations for them to understand what they are planning and want to do moving forwards and just make sure they know that we are all in the same team here.

“Things like giving us that little bit of extra time before the race so we can really show how united we are as a sport because other sports have done a better job at consistently doing that.

"They have been really open-minded and I do think that it needs to continue during the year, and so I believe at the moment that is what we are going to continue to do.

“I think there has been some pushback from some teams maybe, but again, it is a work in progress to get us all together and I think it is going in the right direction.”

Sebastian Vettel: “Formula 1 is a worldwide sport and we as individuals are part of that sport and part of our main reason for being here is obviously to perform, but I think we cannot ignore what is happening outside of our racing bubble.

“I think the fight around the world that has taken off over the last couple of weeks and months is completely justified because this is not fought, or dealt with, overnight - I think it’s an ongoing process and it needs all of us.

"It’s not just us racing, I think that would be ignorant, it needs all of us around the planet to stand up and try and go against racism, inequality, injustice, in any form.  

“Therefore I think it is right to try and set the right signs to inspire people because I believe education is probably the only way out of it because it is insanity if you think in 2020 we have all the knowledge we have of the past and all the lessons we have of the past, it’s still something that does exist.

“It should be out of question, but it’s not, so therefore its important we stand up when we have the chance publicly, to send a message, but more-so when the cameras are off and we are living our every day lives and setting the right examples and trying to behave in the way that I think is right.”

Charles Leclerc: “I don’t think anyone should be forced to fight in a particular way and to be against racism in a particular way. I’m definitely against racism and I think we are all united in that.

“Whether to take the knee or not – I’ve already made my point so I will stay where I am at. I definitely think we will keep fighting against that as it’s not an issue that’s solved overnight and it’s a very important issue all over the world.

“It’s pretty crazy to be honest we still have this inequality all over the world in 2020. I think it’s good we continue fighting that. We will be judged on how we express the way we are against racism.”  

Max Verstappen: "I explained it before why and the reasons. Everybody has their own way of expressing it but I think at the end of the day we’re all united in fighting racism and of course, trying to end it.

“It’s not going to end in the coming year but we are all united to fight against it - that is the most important thing.

“At the end of the day it’s not about taking the knee or not - I think that’s not going to solve the issue anyway. But like I say, we are all united and I think that’s the most important.”

Alex Albon: “Obviously it will look better and it will show we are a little bit organised.

“I don’t think it was down to the drivers as such that we were disorganised - I don’t think you could put it on us. I think it was just the way the timing was and even if you just look at how we have to rush straight away off the cars and run to where we announce or stood, whatever we did.

"It’s more of a collective decision with Formula 1 and ourselves. I don’t think it’s fair to put it on the drivers.”

Carlos Sainz: “It probably needs more conversation and more talk, but the way I express myself to end racism are probably going to stay the same for the future so I don’t anticipate any big changes on that side.

“I just feel like I am a free man, and being a free man I want to express myself in a way that I feel is convenient to my culture and my principals. I want to keep it that way, and I expect everyone in the paddock to respect that.

“I respect Lewis a lot and the way he’s approached the situation and managed to put in everyone’s minds the anti-racism problem. It just means all of the drivers and all of the paddock respects him for that.

“I have never lived through racism and he has, so maybe that is what makes him more engaged in this matter. Personally I have admiration for Lewis, I back him and have told him already that he has my full support for whatever he needs in the fight against racism, but that doesn’t mean taking or not the knee.”

Lando Norris: “I’m fine with the decision to be continuing with it throughout the whole year. I think the more of an impact that we can have in F1, as drivers, the better it is for all of us and the bigger impact we will have on the future and people growing up.

“I’m very happy. Of course it needs to be organised better and that’s something we are going to do this weekend to make sure we have a clear-cut plan of how we are going to do things and how to approach things.

“We are all united as drivers and we all believe in what’s right, no matter whether we stand or kneel. We all want to do the best thing for everyone."

Daniel Ricciardo: “Certainly it was rushed, particularly I felt at Budapest. We kind of all got there, and the ones that were happy to take a knee, it kind of felt as soon as we got down the anthem started, and we did not want to kneel for the anthem. So it was kind of do we stay or do get up? It was a bit rushed for sure.

“As long as everyone is there, and we have the T-shirts, and we are united, whether it is kneeling or not, it has been talked about already. The drivers opposed to it for other reasons – that has been discussed. And that is fair enough. I do not want to get involved with what is going on that front for them.

“For me I am happy to keep doing it and I want to keep doing it. But as long as we are all there together. And get a moment that does not feel forced or rushed, that is most important. Particularly in Budapest it was a bit of a mess for the timing.

“They have addressed it now, and I think we will continue to do it without so much rush and chaos. It is important to continue doing it. It was discussed after the first race we do it? Some of us were unsure, but we have to continue doing it.

“I believe for at least the remainder of the season because it is something that is ongoing. It is not just that we highlighted one week and forget about it. So I 100% think we should [continue].”

Esteban Ocon: “It is very important that we take some actions, and we are all showing that we are standing against racism.

“Of course in Budapest it was a bit rushed. That is going to be solved and we will have more time to show our support for the cause.

“And this is what we need to do, and this is what I want to do: stand against racism, and that is what I have been doing. I’ve shown my support.”

Kimi Raikkonen: “I think everybody obviously has their own rights to do how they feel. Obviously we are all against the racism and we hundred percent support. But in the end we are here for the sport.

“Yes, we do the best that we can at same time to help in the situation, but I don’t think we need to explain why we don’t take the knee or why somebody takes. It’s our personal choice and that’s how it’s going to be.”

Antonio Giovinazzi: “I completely agree with what Kimi say, and happy also to continue but it’s not our decision so we will see.  I think it’s good things what he [Lewis] is doing and it is good that F1 is followed by so many people.”

Romain Grosjean: “Everyone has a different feeling, different way of expressing their feelings, so you can not force anyone to do anything.

“Their reason are personal, it’s just a feeling, your reason may be strong enough for you but for someone else doesn’t feel like its strong enough is not really the question.

“Everyone has to do what’s right for them, ideally would be nice to have 20 drivers side by side taking the knee, some other sports have done it.

“I’m not here to judge or say, it’s very personal, and everyone has the right to do what he feels like doing but it would be nice to get there one day.”

Kevin Magnussen: “My view on this and my position is that I am clearly for more inclusion and ending racism. This whole messaging at the moment is great, it’s only good to spread awareness of it.

“But I don’t want to become political. It’s difficult for me to know how my actions are being perceived by others and I really just don’t want to go into politics, or be seen to support groups or organisations that I can’t stand with.

“For sure I will be participating in the message of ending racism, I’m onboard with that.”

George Russell: “We all care in the fight against racism, we are all absolutely on the same page. Between all of us drivers we agree that we will show and portray that message in whatever means we wish.

“For half to three quarters of the drivers that is to take the knee, for the other quarter or so to stand and where the T-shirts. In that message that we are all united in the fight against racism.”

Nicholas Latifi: “The most important thing is that we are there together, whether it be that some are standing or some are kneeling, we are all supporting the ending of racism and inequality.

“For some drivers the preference is to take the knee and demonstrate using that gesture, and for other drivers they are more comfortable to stand maybe because what kneeling could signify more for their personal views. The most important thing is that we are there representing a united front.”

AlphaTauri drivers Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat were not asked for their views on the matter and neither was Valtteri Bottas, while Racing Point’s Sergio Perez was absent from Silverstone on Thursday due to having an “inconclusive” COVID-19 test.