Lando Norris "can't accept doing nothing" after F1 removes kneeling

McLaren

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Norris "can't accept doing nothing" after F1 removes kneeling

F1 has taken away the pre-race 'We Race as One' moment

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Tuesday 15 February 2022 16:30

Lando Norris has insisted he "can't accept doing nothing" to tackle societal issues after F1 removed the pre-race 'We Race as One' moment.

F1 has taken away the chance for drivers to take the knee as a group for the coming season in a string of changes made to move "from gestures to actions".

Sebastian Vettel was critical of the decision to take the moment away without consulting the drivers and speaking at the launch of the McLaren MCL36, Norris suggested a meeting will now take place to discuss the issue.

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“I think it’s tricky because we’re still early in the season so it’s not something we have spoken about so much," he explained.

"But it will be something we definitely will speak about when the time comes, definitely beforehand, to make sure we are prepared and we’re making the most of the opportunities we can have to speak about whatever matter it is.

“And there are always things we can do as drivers. There are always things that we can do separately as drivers to speak out about these kinds of things and I think more and more of us are doing that.

“What we do as a group, taking the knee or some not taking the knee, I think it doesn’t have to simply be that. I think there are other ways to go about those means and stand up for whatever matter it is, to inspire kids, to raise awareness for issues and different matters.

“I think it doesn’t have to be that but I’m not too sure yet."

Adding he believes F1 will have reasons for removing the pre-race moment, Norris said: "It is something that we will speak about as drivers, something we will speak about with Formula 1 and I’m sure it is something they are thinking of, you would hope anyway, as Formula 1 with the audience we have.

“I’m sure that they haven’t done it for nothing so we’ll see. We will speak about it and we’ll make sure there are things in place because I definitely still support Sebastian on the side of it’s worth doing things.

“Whether it’s just before the race or it’s another time at the start of the weekend or inviting people to the weekends, we will wait and see.

“But definitely I can’t accept doing nothing.”