Max Verstappen caused quite a stir last weekend by not kneeling during the protest against racism, prior to the race in Austria. Daniel Ricciardo knows the reason why Verstappen and five other drivers decided to stay.
Opposite Motorsport.com the Australian indicates that kneeling has different meanings in certain countries. "Friday's conversation with the drivers showed that we are all one hundred percent against racism. None of us wants to perpetuate racism, so we all support this," said the Australian.
Criticised
"I just think there were some problems with the nationality of some drivers and what kneeling would mean to them. But we've heard them all, all their opinions, and we're not going to try to put anyone in danger. Nobody will be judged or criticized if they don't stand there in a certain way or take a knee," Ricciardo concludes.
The position was an initiative of reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton, who is committed to the Black Lives Matter movement and asked his colleagues to join. Besides Verstappen also Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, Daniil Kvyat, Antonio Giovinazzi and Kimi Räikkönen did not respond.