F1’s American owners Liberty Media and the governing body, the FIA, said that Britain’s six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is free to kneel at the next instalment of the championship in Austria which began on Sunday and for the remainder of the year. The final decision is set to rest with the drivers.
I didn't insist F1 drivers to kneel in Austria
Hamilton has clarified he did not put pressure on Formula One drivers to kneel at the Austrian Grand Prix, saying everyone is entitled to opt against doing so if they wish, as that gesture alone will not change the world. Some reports accused Hamilton of forcing his fellow drivers to take the knee, the topic had actually been raised by Grand Prix Drivers' Association directors Romain Grosjean and Sebastian Vettel during drivers meeting. Hamilton himself only decided he would take the knee on Saturday evening, the night before the race. When asked about some drivers not kneeling, Hamilton replied: "Honestly, I don't know the reason for everyone - everyone's different reasons or opinions. I am aware of some opinions from some of the drivers, but that's more of a private thing, and I wouldn't like to share it. But I think ultimately, nobody should be forced into a scenario where they have to kneel and I really would like to correct, there is a story out there that's really incorrect.
"I never requested or demanded anybody to take a knee, I never even brought it up. It was brought up by Formula One, and it was brought up by the GPDA. When we did the drivers' briefing, Seb and Grosjean both brought it up and asked the drivers whether or not they would do it, and there were obviously several that said that they wouldn't, and I let everyone just say what they wanted to say. I opened up to them and I said, 'Look, guys, I will be doing it, but you do what you feel is right.' I'm really, really grateful for those who did it along with me; I think it's still a really powerful message.
"Ultimately, whether or not you kneel or do not kneel, that's not going to change the world, and it's a much, much bigger issue across the world than just something as little as that. ... I think everyone had a right to their own personal choice. And for me personally, that is what I felt was right to do. But I didn't [actually] make a decision until last night."
Concerns had been raised by some drivers in the build-up to the race about the political message behind the kneeling gesture and its association to the Black Lives Matter organisation. While 19 drivers wore the "End Racism" message, Hamilton opted for a black shirt with "Black Lives Matter" written on it.
