Formula One has scrapped the ritual of drivers taking a knee before races. Driver, however, may still be allowed to kneel at some other stage before the race – most likely by their cars.
The practice, in place for two years, will not get the allocated slot as the new season begins with the first race in Bahrain next month. Star driver Lewis Hamilton and other drivers have been kneeing before the races in an expression of solidarity against racism.
Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali, while announcing that drivers will no more have an opportunity to take a knee ahead of a race, has attributed the decision to increasing diversity in motorsport.
“We needed to make sure that what we did was important to show the intention of Formula One in things that were really important for the world,” Domenicali told Sky Sports.
“I think now it’s the matter of (changing) gesture to action. Now the action is the focus on the diversity of our community, and this is the first step.”
Lewis, who was denied a record 7th title in a dramatic finish and “controversial” finish last year, has confirmed that he would be back to the competition as the new season begins next month.
