Lewis Hamilton has clarified that he did not pressure Formula One drivers to kneel at the Austrian Grand Prix, saying that everyone has the right to choose not to do so if they wish, since that gesture alone will not change the world.
Hamilton and 13 of his fellow drivers knelt before the season opener on Sunday. Six rivals declined, though each wore a T-shirt that read “End Racism.”
Although a Daily Mail report on Saturday night accused Hamilton of forcing his fellow drivers to kneel, the directors of the Grand Prix Drivers Association Romain Grosjean and Sebastian Vettel had raised the issue during the drivers’ meeting on Friday. Hamilton himself only decided that he would kneel on Saturday night, the night before the race.
Hamilton is pleased that drivers were not told that kneeling was mandatory.
When asked about some drivers who did not kneel, Hamilton replied, “I honestly don’t know the reason for everyone, the different reasons or opinions of everyone.
“I’m privy to some opinions from some of the drivers, but that’s a bit more private, and I wouldn’t want to share it. But I think ultimately, nobody should be forced into a scenario where they have to kneel down and I really I’d like to correct, there is a story that is really wrong.
“I never asked or demanded of anyone to kneel, I didn’t even mention it. It was presented by Formula One, and it was raised by the GPDA. When we did the drivers briefing, Seb and Grosjean presented it. I asked the drivers whether they would or not, and obviously there were several who said they would not, and I let everyone just say what they wanted to say.
“I opened up to them and said, ‘Look, guys, I will, but you do what you think is right.’ I am very, very grateful to those who did it to me; I think it is still a really powerful message.
“Ultimately, if you kneel down or not, that’s not going to change the world, and it’s a much, much bigger problem worldwide than something as small as that … I think everyone is entitled to their own choice. personal and for me personally that’s what I felt was right to do but I didn’t [actually] make a decision until last night. “
Some drivers had raised concerns in race preparation about the political message behind the kneeling gesture and their association with the Black Lives Matter organization. While 19 drivers carried the message “End Racism”, Hamilton opted for a black shirt with “Black Lives Matter” written on it.
Hamilton, who attended a Black Lives Matter rally in London’s Hyde Park last month, said he wore that catchphrase on his shirt in support of the idea he represents.
When asked about the distinction between BLM as a movement and a political organization, he said: “Thank you for the question, I think it is a valid question.
“You are right, there are certain people who are talking about it that are definitely more political than they are. And obviously there are London Black Lives Matter or UK Black Lives Matter who have spoken on more political issues. But I think the people who are in the demonstrations, the people who are marching are fighting for a cause and that is equality.
“It is not necessarily something political for them; when I went to London, that was what we were doing. When I wear the shirt, when I speak, that is what I am supporting. I am not necessarily supporting the political movements, that is something completely different. So I think it’s important to try to keep them separate. “
Hamilton is not sure if he will take the knee before each race. The six-time world champion is more interested in keeping the racial equality conversation at the forefront of everything he does this year.
“I don’t know what the plan is to move forward,” he said. “It is really great that Formula 1, and Mercedes in particular, have taken note of the problems we are facing around the world and have decided to do something about it. I think that ultimately everything we do will not be enough and we all need do more. There’s been awareness for a couple of weeks and what we don’t need it to do is die suddenly, and just disappear and we don’t see any change, so somehow it could be the guinea pig there. Keep talking.
“And going back to it, all of us, including myself, all have to analyze responsibility and see what they can do better within their organization and their own team. Moving forward, I don’t know if I will continue [take a knee]”
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