‘Action not gestures’ - Domenicali on F1’s fight against racism

Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali has revealed the sport will be shifting its focus towards ‘action’ rather than ‘gestures’ in its fight against racism and discrimination.

Connor McDonagh

08 Feb 2022

‘Action not gestures’ - Domenicali on F1’s fight against racism

F1 launched its ‘We Race As One’ initiative at the start of 2020 in a bid to combat racism as well as tackle other issues such as sustainability.

During this time, drivers have been allowed to go to the front of the grid to take the knee or showcase their own anti-racism messages through t-shirts.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Domenicali confirmed F1 is shifting its stance for this season with drivers no longer having the formal opportunity to take the knee, but they are still allowed to do so.

“I think the gesture has been an important gesture because we need to respect everyone, as always,” he said. “But now is the time to move on and take some other action.”

On Tuesday morning, F1 announced an extension to its engineering scholarship programme.

The programme helps students from underrepresented groups with placements at some of the leading universities in the United Kingdom and Italy.

Domenicali believes it’s important for F1 to clearly show its intentions through things like the aforementioned programme.

“We needed to make sure that what we did was important to show the intention of Formula 1 in things that were really important for the world,” he added.

“I think now it's the matter of [changing] gesture, to action. Now the action is the focus on the diversity of our community, and this is the first step.”

The former Ferrari boss believes Lewis Hamilton will be “fully-charged” for the season ahead.

“I saw the last picture was a light of positivity on his face and his gesture,” he said. “I think that is important because Lewis is an incredible asset not only for our sport but for the world."

“There was a total respect on his choice to be on silent mode. I think he will be fully charged for the start of the season. Lewis has in front of him a possibility to be an eight-time world champion.

“So I'm sure he is totally focused on these objectives because this year there will be so many new things, so many variables, that will allow this championship to be so attractive.”