Lewis Hamilton is championing the ‘black lives matter’ movement and has decided to take the knee but other drivers may not follow.
Reigning F1 champion, Lewis Hamilton’s efforts to promote diversity in F1 might receive a slight jolt today. This after reports surfaced that as many as 5 drivers are unwilling to take a knee in today’s race.
Hamilton had decided to take a knee in protest against American George Floyd’s death by a policeman. He has lent his support to the Black Lives Matter movement and is campaigning for it.
He has also been involved in Mercedes doing their bit for diversity in motor sports in the future. Mercedes have a black livery this time, in place of the traditional silver.
Hamilton’s helmet is also a tribute to the Black Lives Matter campaign.
5 drivers unwilling to take a knee
But, the campaign has reached a roadblock, and as many as 5 drivers may decide against taking a knee. Hamilton, on this part, had earlier called out his fellow drivers for not taking a stand on the diversity issue.
“Not everyone has decided what to do,” said McLaren driver Carlos Sainz, who will be plying for Ferrari in 2021.
Haas’ Kevin Magnussen said: “I intend to kneel – not so much because I support the Black Lives Matter organisation, but more because I want to support the worldwide movement against racism and discrimination. I hope no special group or organisation takes ownership of it.”
Lewis Hamilton undecided on taking the knee
Hamilton is the only black driver in F1 in history in a white-dominated sport. And that is something he is looking to change. He had this to say on the apparent disagreement.
“Well, we know there’s an issue so we don’t need an experience like tomorrow to prove that there is an issue.”
Lewis Hamilton himself is not sure, if he’ll be taking the knee, as he feels that there should be other ways to end racism in the sport and in the world.
“Honestly I don’t have any plans at the moment. I’ve not thought that far forward,” he said while talking about taking the knee.
“We spoke a bit in the drivers’ briefing
“Yep. Interesting. But it was good that we’re kind of all at least in discussion.
“I don’t know what we’ll see. I think potentially people paying their respects in their own ways.” the Mercedes champion added.
It will be intriguing how many drivers indeed take a knee at the final race at the Red Bull Ring today.
