Drivers in conversation with F1 after disappearance of kneeling moment

February 8, Formula 1 announced that the We Race as One taking of the knee before the races will not take place in 2022. Sebastian Vettel admitted that he was surprised and Lando Norris cannot understand this decision either.

'Raising awareness can be done in other ways'

Formula 1 introduced the 'We Race As One' initiative in 2020, which they have used to fight racism and inequality within the sport. Part of this was the pre-race ceremony where drivers showed their support by taking the knee.

Formula 1 has decided that they will stop this ceremony in 2022, as they want to take action and not just engage in these kinds of gestures. Vettel had already indicated that it is important to continue to draw attention to this and the McLaren driver Norris also sided with the German. "It's worth doing things," said Norris to the BBC.

Despite not being satisfied, the Brit does hope that Formula 1 will provide an alternative. He acknowledged that there are other ways they can draw attention, but it is important that Formula 1 will then do so. "We will talk about it with F1 and the drivers to make sure we maximize our opportunities [with F1]," the 22-year-old driver said.

Future

So, before the start of the season, the drivers and the Formula One organisation will discuss the issue to decide together how to make the best use of the platform. Formula One has already announced that they will continue to fund the Formula One Engineering Scholarship program for underrepresented groups. With this they want to strive for more diversity in the sport.