Hamilton on removing taking the knee gesture: 'We need to do something'

For the past two seasons, Formula 1 made a statement by kneeling against racism before every Grand Prix, starting in 2022 this will no longer happen. Lewis Hamilton hopes to do more against racism than just make a gesture.

Starting in 2020, there was a moment for drivers to kneel prior to each Grand Prix. It is a gesture against racism. According to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, the gesture was important, but now he thinks it is time to take other measures. Each driver was allowed to decide for himself whether or not to kneel. Max Verstappen, for example, decided to remain standing at the moment.

Hamilton and Vettel want more action

According to Hamilton, it is important to make a difference right now. "We can't just talk about these things and make these gestures, we really need to do something," the Mercedes driver is quoted by Speedweek.com. Hamilton believes that Formula 1 can do much more than make a gesture before every Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion not sure himself what the next step will look like in Formula One.

Hamilton is joined by four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel. The German says he is surprised by the decision to remove the gesture before the race. Vettel thinks Formula 1 needs to start taking issues like racism and sustainability more seriously.