Hamilton hopes for "more united" front after seven drivers opt not to take a knee
Hamilton hopes for "more united" front after seven drivers opt not to take a knee
Lewis Hamilton has called for "more conversation" after seven drivers opted not to take a knee during a more organised anti-racism protest ahead of the British Grand Prix.
F1 and the FIA delivered on their promise of providing the drivers with a window of opportunity to highlight the cause following criticism of the rushed and fragmented displays at the previous two races.
The option of taking a knee has become a bone of contention, with Kevin Magnussen increasing the number up to seven of those electing to stand after Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, Kimi Raikkonen, Antonio Giovinazzi and Daniil Kvyat did so before the first race in Austria.
While Hamilton was naturally content with F1's response to his request to allow more time for the drivers to show their support, he remains surprised by the position of the seven drivers not to take a knee when all athletes across the world have been doing so in other sports.
"Formula 1 did a much, much better job after a lot of the discussion, a lot of talking last week about how we can come together and do that," said Hamilton. "As you saw, it was a lot more professional.
"I'm not going to tell you my opinion on whether or not everyone needs to kneel or not, but if you look at all the other sports, if you look at basketball, you look at football and the Spanish teams, Italian teams, teams all over the world, no matter what nationality or mixture they are, they are all doing it united.
"You've got players from Russia, players from Spain, so I think it is a work in progress. When the reasoning for not doing it is how you think it would be perceived in your country, all you have to do is look at other sports because they [the athletes] are doing it so I do hope that bit-by-bit we can come more and more together, more united."
As for Magnussen now in opposition, Hamilton added: "I am really proud of all the drivers wearing the 'End Racism' t-shirt. I think there is progression. I don't know why Magnussen hasn't done it [taken a knee]. I've not spoken to him.
"But bit-by-bit I think we will just try to improve each other's understanding. I think the most important thing is the drivers continue to have respect for each other, which I think we do, and maybe there just needs to be more conversation.
"I know that Formula 1 hasn't spoken to any of the drivers and no-one else perhaps has spoken to them individually."
Before you go...
Four arrests made after British GP security breach
Pirelli launch 360-degree investigation following British GP tyre failures
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Red Bull to lose F1 MVP as true cost of Horner saga hits
- 1 minute ago
F1 pundit reveals the thing about Wolff that ANNOYS Horner
- 46 minutes ago
Newey exit DATE revealed as Red Bull F1 chief set to leave
- 1 hour ago
F1 News Today: Red Bull star set to QUIT team as F1 legend reveals flood of death threats
- 3 hours ago
Audi agree STAR driver contract as Mercedes driver tipped for new F1 seat THIS season - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
Ferrari show off new-look drivers following HUGE announcement
- Yesterday 22:57
Related news
Incredible statistic puts Verstappen AHEAD of Hamilton record
Fierce rival calls Hamilton F1's GOAT in surprise admission
Hamilton sends strong message over Gaza deaths
Former F1 chief hits out at Hamilton 'EXCUSES'
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860