Lewis Hamilton focused on "background" change over continued kneeling

Lewis Hamilton

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Hamilton focused on "background" change over continued kneeling

F1 will decide its future action ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix

Sam Hall

Friday 12 March 2021 05:00

Lewis Hamilton believes drivers taking a knee can be an 'impactful, symbolic gesture' but maintains the background work to stamp out racism and increase diversity is far more important.

Across the 17 races last year, the F1 paddock joined the wider sporting community in making a visual stand against racism with some drivers electing to kneel and others remaining standing - all, however, wearing t-shirts with the message #EndRacism.

F1 and CEO Stefano Domenicali has yet to confirm how it will continue to promote diversity and further work to end the societal issue of racism in the coming season.

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Other sporting individuals, however, including footballer Wilfred Zaha, have chosen to no longer take a knee. Zaha described the action as "degrading" and questioned if the action had now lost its meaning.

Asked if he would continue taking a knee, Hamilton said: "Ultimately, it is each to their own and everyone has to make their own decision.

"I think it is a symbolic gesture and at certain times, it can be really impactful. We are entering into another year.

"At the moment, it has not been decided what we will do but we are all meeting when we get to Bahrain [ahead of the season-opening grand prix] so that will be part of the discussion with Stefano for example."

Last year, Hamilton said he would speak personally with the drivers who chose not to take a knee to discover the reasons behind their decision given other sports were able to show a united front with the gesture regardless of nationality.

This time, Hamilton is focused on the work in the background in creating tangible change.

The seven-time champion has set up his own commission and, as part of his new deal with Mercedes, he is committed to creating a joint charitable foundation with the German manufacturer.

"I don't think it is the most important thing that everyone takes the knee," assessed Hamilton. "I think it is more the action that we take in the background. It is true at the moment that what is important is... things pass and things die down.

"It continues to be an issue that affects my day-to-day life and so many people out there and it is really important just to continue having that conversation, going back to accountability, continuing to hold those uncomfortable conversations with people because change is possible and change is needed.

"We will see how we will collectively work together so that we are leading more in this sport and it is not necessarily having to be taking the knee."