Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Kimi Raikkonen were among the six drivers who refused to kneel before the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday.
Before the race, the opening event of the 2020 season, the drivers showed off shirts with the message “End Racism”, which was also written on the start / finish line. Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton, the sport’s only black driver, wore a T-shirt with the message “Black Lives Matter.”
Before the conductors gathered for the Austrian national anthem, they lined up. Fourteen of them knelt, while six remained standing. In addition to Verstappen, Leclerc and 2007 world champion Raikkonen, Daniil Kvyat, Carlos Sainz and Antonio Giovinazzi also stood up.
Before the race, several drivers had expressed their discomfort with the gesture of kneeling. Verstappen and Leclerc published their reasoning on social media.
“I think that what matters are facts and behaviors in our daily lives rather than formal gestures that could be considered controversial in some countries,” Leclerc wrote. “I will not kneel, but this does not mean at all that I am less engaged than others in the fight against racism.”
“I am very committed to equality and the fight against racism,” wrote Verstappen. “But I think everyone has the right to express themselves at the same time and in the way that suits them best.”
I think that what matters are facts and behaviors in our daily life instead of formal gestures that could be considered controversial in some countries. I will not kneel, but this does not at all mean that I am less engaged than others in the fight against racism.
– Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) July 5, 2020
I am very committed to equality and the fight against racism. But I think everyone has the right to express themselves at the same time and in the way that suits them best. Today I will not kneel, but I will respect and support the personal choices that each driver makes #WeRaceAsOne #EndRacism
– Max Verstappen (@ Max33Verstappen) July 5, 2020
Speaking after qualifying on Saturday, Hamilton called the drivers’ briefing the day before interesting.
He said, “At the meeting, I just recognized many of the drivers that there was an interpretation of a message that they had posted asking people to speak quietly, and just thanking those who have said something on their social platforms. They have a great voice and a great platform and then they encouraged others that they don’t have to say something and I just described the scenario that silence is generally complicit.
“There is still some silence in some cases, but I think it is also part of a dialogue and I try to understand it, since I still believe that there are people who do not fully understand what is happening and the reason for the protest, so I keep trying and be that guide and influence as many people as I can with him. “
Haas pilot Kevin Magnussen was one of 14 to kneel, but on Saturday night he explained that he was doing so not in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, but in recognition of the broader issue of racism.
“I think it is something that has been talked about a lot and it is difficult because there will always be people who interpret it in different ways,” Magnussen said. “I’m going to get down on my knees, but not because I’m supporting the BLM organization. I’m just supporting the entire movement that everyone seems to come together to end racism. That’s what I’m here for, and that’s why I’m trying to show tomorrow by kneeling down.
“I hope that the kneeling part is not owned by a particular group or organization or whatever. I hope that people see it as a symbol of support for the entire movement that is happening right now to end racism and discrimination “
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