Ferrari’s Charles Leclec and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has refused to kneel before the Austrian F1 Grand Prix, although they support the fight against racism.
“I believe that the important thing is the daily facts and behaviors more than formal gestures which could be perceived as controversial in certain countries,” Leclerc wrote.
“I will not put my knees on the ground but that does not mean not at all to say that I am less committed than the others in the fight against racism,” Leclerc added.
While, prompted by the Briton Lewis Hamilton, several drivers and teams, as well as F1 and the International Automobile Federation (FIA), took a stand against racism following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers in the United States -United at the end of May, a collective action is planned before the start of the first round of the season.
Before the Austrian national anthem, a message from F1 and the FIA will be broadcast, at the end of which the drivers will be able to express their support in the way of their choice, by a gesture or by wearing a T-shirt marked with words “end racism” provided by the pilots’ union, the GPDA.
French Romain Grosjean and Esteban Ocon, the Australian Daniel Ricciardo and even Hamilton, confirmed planning to make a gesture, the latter however regretting that they could not agree on joint action.
The Mercedes sport this season a black livery to support the Black Lives Matter movement and the fight against racism and the paddock and the cars are decorated this weekend with rainbows in tribute to the struggles against racism but also against the Covid-19.
The promoter of F1 has also set up an action to increase diversity in the sport, very white and very masculine, to which the FIA announced to contribute financially on Sunday.
