close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US
Stroll, Vettel and Hamilton kneeling

Vettel "surprised" by F1 decision to end pre-race kneeling

Stroll, Vettel and Hamilton kneeling — Photo: © LAT Images
6 reacties

Vettel "surprised" by F1 decision to end pre-race kneeling

Drivers have been kneeling ahead of grand prix starts for the past two years

Sebastian Vettel has conceded to being "surprised" at F1 scrapping the pre-race taking of the knee for the coming season.

Earlier this week, F1 confirmed it would be making changes to its 'We Race as One' messaging with the sport to move on "from gestures to actions".

The action of kneeling remains commonplace in other sports personalities continuing to promote the message of equality.

Asked at the launch of the Aston Martin AMR22 if drivers had been advised of the changes, Vettel said: "No, they just changed.

"I was a bit surprised. I think the issues we were tackling are not going to be gone within two years and therefore I was a bit surprised.

"I hope that as drivers, we find a way to get together and find a slot, still expressing topics that are important to us."

F1 will continue to display a video promoting the WRAO message in the pre-race buildup with branding also to be displayed trackside.

Vettel has been vocal in calling out the need for change in recent years with his display of opposition to the anti-LGBTQ+ laws in Hungary a prominent example.

"Probably not all the drivers care, but a lot of us really do care," added Vettel.

"It will be great to get together but probably it was getting a bit too strong and too individual for the business side of things."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Fred Vasseur claims 'Ferrari would have won F1 title' if FIA had acted earlier

Fred Vasseur claims 'Ferrari would have won F1 title' if FIA had acted earlier

  • 1 hour ago
F1 2026: Ferrari congratulated after Adrian Newey investigation

F1 2026: Ferrari congratulated after Adrian Newey investigation

  • 1 hour ago
Martin Brundle says there is one 'crazy situation' that F1 must stop in 2026

Martin Brundle says there is one 'crazy situation' that F1 must stop in 2026

  • 2 hours ago
F1 News Today: Aston Martin short on parts as Alonso preps for Chinese GP nightmare

F1 News Today: Aston Martin short on parts as Alonso preps for Chinese GP nightmare

  • 3 hours ago
Oscar Piastri secures unwanted F1 Triple Crown after Australian GP nightmare

Oscar Piastri secures unwanted F1 Triple Crown after Australian GP nightmare

  • Yesterday 23:35
Lewis Hamilton confirms Oscars decision as F1 movie bids for glory

Lewis Hamilton confirms Oscars decision as F1 movie bids for glory

  • Yesterday 22:45

Just in

09:45
Fred Vasseur claims 'Ferrari would have won F1 title' if FIA had acted earlier
08:55
F1 2026: Ferrari congratulated after Adrian Newey investigation
08:00
Martin Brundle says there is one 'crazy situation' that F1 must stop in 2026
07:15
F1 News Today: Aston Martin short on parts as Alonso preps for Chinese GP nightmare
11-3
Oscar Piastri secures unwanted F1 Triple Crown after Australian GP nightmare
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

Lewis Hamilton is the biggest winner from the Australian Grand Prix - this is why Australian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton is the biggest winner from the Australian Grand Prix - this is why

March 8, 2026 17:52
F1 Australian Grand Prix 2026 results: Final classification with penalties applied Australian Grand Prix

F1 Australian Grand Prix 2026 results: Final classification with penalties applied

March 8, 2026 16:27
F1’s new cars in 2026 are how much slower? Australian Grand Prix confirms the sad truth F1 2026

F1’s new cars in 2026 are how much slower? Australian Grand Prix confirms the sad truth

March 7, 2026 18:56
F1 Engine Compression Ratio - What is it and why is it so controversial? F1 Explained

F1 Engine Compression Ratio - What is it and why is it so controversial?

March 7, 2026 12:31
Ontdek het op Google Play
x