F1 set to organise anti-racism protest at British GP

Formula 1 is expected to allocate time in the pre-race schedule to enable an anti-racism protest to take place ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix. 

At the Hungarian Grand Prix, only 15 of the 20 drivers attended an unscheduled pre-race stand against racism. Eight drivers, including six-times world champion Lewis Hamilton, opted to take a knee. 

The sport’s lack of organisation in Hungary drew criticism from Hamilton, who took aim at F1 and its governing body, the FIA, as well as Grand Prix Drivers' Association director Romain Grosjean. 

F1 held an organised protest ahead of the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix but did not allocate specific time in the schedule for similar demonstrations ahead of the Styrian and Hungarian rounds. 

Hamilton has kneeled at all three races so far this season and has also worn a “Black Lives Matter” T-shirt, while the rest of the drivers have worn T-shirts with the “End Racism” slogan. 

After claiming his 86th career victory in Hungary, Hamilton said: "F1 did an OK job at the first race. It's not good enough in terms of what you see in other sports, but still it was a step forward. And then it's almost like it's gone off the agenda after that.

"It's lacking leadership - and ultimately, we perform in a sport. There needs to be leadership from the top. They need to come out with: 'This is what we're going to do and we want you all to be part of it.' And there is none of that."

F1 and the FIA have subsequently responded and have informed the drivers and teams that there will be a specific time slot to allow for drivers and team personnel to demonstrate their support in whichever way they choose. 

Speaking to reporters before his home race at Silverstone - the first of two races at the Northamptonshire track on consecutive weekends - Norris said he expected a more coordinated response. 

"Some people want to do different things, but we are all in agreement that we want to take a stand and show something in support of what we're trying to do against racism," he explained. "We will have a better structure and better plan in place for next weekend.

“I take a knee because that is most meaningful for the situation we are in. I want to have the biggest impact I can on ending racism. It is one of the few times in life when people like me or us as drivers can have an impact on the future.

"This is one of the biggest initiatives around the world to go up against something and make a change going into the future and shape it in some way. I want to do everything I can.”