F1 drivers free to choose how to mark pre-race stance

Formula 1 drivers will be completely free to choose how they wish to mark the revised pre-race ceremony this season.

In a change to F1’s pre-race ‘End Racism’ demonstration, the sport will use the allocated slot prior to races in 2021 to focus attention on its ‘We Race As One’ initiative launched last year.

As part of its push for greater diversity in motorsport, F1 held a pre-race stance against racism which featured the wearing of ‘End Racism’ T-shirts and a video message. All the drivers apart from Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen, Daniil Kvyat, Kevin Magnussen, and Alfa Romeo duo Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi opted to take a knee.

For the upcoming 2021 campaign, F1 drivers will gather on the grid ahead of the race to show united support for important issues that include the three key pillars of the championship’s revised ‘We Race As One’ message - sustainability, diversity and inclusion.

During this timeframe, there will not be a requirement to carry out a specific gesture, with drivers free to decide how they want to show their support.

An F1 spokesperson said: “The whole of Formula 1 is united in its support for #WeRaceAsOne and the drivers will all show their own support for the initiative ahead of the grand prix.

“The drivers will be free to show their commitment in their own way before the race and there will be no requirement for them to make a specific gesture.

"The important thing is all of them being together in full support of our initiatives on sustainability, diversity & inclusion and community.”

The changes follow a meeting between new F1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali and the drivers which took place during pre-season testing in Bahrain last week.

Speaking during testing, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton - who was the leading voice behind F1’s anti-racism stand last year - stressed that action is more important than slogans or gestures.

“I don’t think it is the most important thing that everyone does take the knee,” he explained. “I think it is more the action that we take in the background.

“Things pass and things die down. It is important that it continues to be an issue that affects my day to day life and so many people out there.”