Hamilton won’t face action if he ‘takes a knee’ in Austria

Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton will not face action if he ‘takes a knee’ when the 2020 season gets underway in Austria next month.

The Daily Mail reported on Tuesday that Hamilton is set to take a knee at the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix on July 5 because he is determined to make a public display of support for the BlackLivesMatter movement.

Such an action would mirror those taken by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick in 2016 when he kneeled during the pre-match national anthem in protest of police brutality and racial inequality in the United States.

F1 has confirmed that it will allow any of its 20 drivers to take a knee in protest against racial injustice if they wish.

“This is a very important issue and we support anyone who wants to show their support in the fight against racism,” an F1 spokesman said.

Hamilton, who remains F1’s only black driver, has championed the sport’s anti-racism movement by posting a number of strong messages on his social media channels following the murder of George Floyd by a white policeman in Minneapolis on May 25.

Among his recent posts, Hamilton recently included a picture of Martin Luther King praying on one knee during a civil rights march.

The six-time world champion has received backing from his fellow drivers, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and F1’s managing director Ross Brawn, who stressed the series fully supports Hamilton’s stance on racism and diversity.

“Lewis is a great ambassador for the sport and his comments are very valid," Brawn told Sky Sports. "We support him completely.”

In a recent post on Twitter, Hamilton said: “I have felt so inspired by the thousands of people across the globe using their voices to speak out against racial injustice.

“Fighting for real change starts with us, whether peacefully protesting, showing support on social media or signing petitions.”

 

 

 

 

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This past week, I have felt so inspired by the thousands of people across the globe using their voices to speak out against racial injustice. Fighting for real change starts with us, whether peacefully protesting, showing support on social media or signing petitions. However, our fight for equality must continue beyond this. Racism is a global disease and one which we must tackle with our votes as well as our voices. Please do your research and ensure the politicians you vote into power have everyone’s best interests at heart. The prejudice against black people at a systemic level has got to stop. For those looking for ways to support, I have provided information on petitions you can sign, as well as some books and films to learn more about the black experience. For the next generation, this education into black history should be starting at school. The global curriculum needs to be updated to include the struggles and successes of black people throughout the centuries, otherwise history is destined to repeat itself. As we have seen with the arrest and elevated charges for the officers who killed George Floyd, there is power in our voices, we can bring about change, and we must continue to fight for racial equality. For those of you who are out there fighting, know that I see you and I am right by your side. #blacklivesmatter

A post shared by Lewis Hamilton (@lewishamilton) on Jun 11, 2020 at 10:00am PDT