F1 boss Stefano Domenicali says the sport will this year focus on actual action instead of mere gestures as a means to combat racism.
Formula One launched its “We Race As One” diversity campaign in 2020, which included drivers taking the knee in front of the grid ahead of races. Domenicali however this week confirmed that the sport will be changing its stance – and while drivers will still be welcome to take a knee should they want to, this sort of formality will no longer form part of pre-race ceremonies.
The F1 president and CEO said while the gesture of taking the knee has certainly been an important one, the time has arrived for the sport to move on and take more decisive action against racism and exclusion based on race. He also added that the need has arisen for Formula 1 to show more of an intention around things that matter not only to the sport, but also to the world.
Sports betting markets have been closely monitoring these developments, noting the potential impact on the sport’s global appeal.
He described F1’s latest push for diversity, which includes a welcome extension to its engineering scholarship plan, as being the first step to the taking of effective action.
Domenicali spoke to the media only days after Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton broke his long public silence following last year’s controversial season finale in Abu Dhabi. The F1 boss said Hamilton remains an important asset to the sport as well the world.
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