F1 2020: Each driver explains why they refused to kneel at Austria GP – NEWS.com.au

Formula 1s drivers have explained their differing stances on taking a knee ahead of last Sundays Austrian GP after 14 of the 20 on the grid made the gesture.In a public show against racism and discrimination ahead of the season-opening race co-ordinated by F1 and the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, all 20 drivers wore T-shirts featuring the message ‘End Racism’ as they gathered at the front of the grid. Lewis Hamilton’s T-shirt also included ‘Black Lives Matter’ on the front.
The GPDA said in a statement that drivers would be free to show their support in their own way.
Fourteen drivers also took a knee, six did not, meaning there was no collective gesture as seen in other sports such as the Premier League and by the England and West Indies cricket teams before the first Test on Wednesday.
Hamilton said the pre-race events in Austria represented a “step in the right direction” but believes F1 can do more collectively.
“I’ve never said whether or not I was disappointed at the other guys, but we do need to look at these other sports who ultimately have done a better job in showing their unanimous united front,” said Hamilton to Sky Sports F1.
“I’m so impressed with what football’s done, I’m really impressed with how NASCAR, for example, was one of the first sports to come out to immediately react and hold themselves accountable. We’ve got to do more, being that we’re such a global sport. It is a step in the right direction but there’s no reason why we should be different to a sport like football, which is the biggest sport in the world.”
F1’S DRIVERS ON TAKING A KNEE
Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen said on social media ahead of the race why they would not be doing so, while other drivers have explained their own personal stances as F1 returned to the Red Bull Ring on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Styrian GP.
“Formula 1 left us the choice to express ourselves in the way we wanted,” Leclerc told Sky Sports. “We all went

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