F1 under fire for protest cutaway as drivers urged to ‘get it together’ – Fox Sports

As at last weeks Austrian GP, all 20 drivers again wore T-shirts featuring the words End Racism, with Hamiltons also saying Black Lives Matter on the front, amid the sports continued stand against all form of discrimination.
Of the 16 drivers who were present at the front of the grid for a short gathering ahead of the Austrian national anthem, 12 took a knee with four standing.
The image of the drivers was only briefly seen on the TV world feed before a pre-planned sky dive above the circuit was shown.
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ITV2 presenter Melissa Nathoo blasted the cutaway, writing: I do think the sport should show a united front, but kneeling or not is the decision of the drivers. However, cutting away at that moment was poor form and completely negates the message of the movement.
To see the live feed from the F1 grid cut away from showing any drivers taking/not taking a knee is not one bit helpful, motoring journalist Dave Humphreys tweeted. Disappointing no matter how much Red Bull is paying in sponsorship.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports F1 host Simon Lazenby questioned why drivers were still not taking a knee during the pre-race protest.
Youve got to ask the question would it have been in the best interests in the image of this sport to get it together this week. Thats not a judgment, its for you to decide at home, Lazenby said.
The images still dont seem to fit the message in this the most global of sports. If NASCAR, football and cricket can get it right, why cant Formula One? Thats the question. From where Im standing here, we have seen some taking an knee and some not, its just a mixed message.
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Former world champions Jenson Button agreed, saying: It doesnt look so good with some standing and some kneeling but the important thing to me is what they have to say about ending racism, they all agree.
I think we as Formula One have to be proactive in pushing forward and ending racism and we race as one. It cant go quiet, we need to mention it every race, we need to not only be mentioning it, we need to be proactive in making change. I still dont know how we go about that to help diversity in our sport as well. Its something we all need to sit down and discuss and make change.
With Sky Sports

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