Mazepin did not kneel for more equality, but for something else

Since last season it is a fixed ritual prior to the start of the Grand Prix that the drivers take a moment to think about more equality, in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Kneeling at the ceremony

The ritual came at the initiative of Lewis Hamilton, who wanted to pay more attention to the subject within Formula 1. During the pre-race grid ceremony, some of the drivers kneel down to show their respect. However, this does not apply to every driver, it remains a free choice to kneel. The drivers also wear a shirt with We Race As One on it.

Russian holiday

During the first races Nikita Mazepin was one of the drivers who did not kneel, but in Spain he did. This was not because he suddenly had a different view on Black Lives Matter, he had his own approach during the ceremony.

"I decided to kneel to pay respect to the veterans and the people who lost their lives in the war 76 years ago," Mazepin said to F1i.com. He is referring to Victory Day, a Russian holiday. The Russians celebrate the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945.

More important than New Year

"This holiday is very important," the Haas driver continued. "My family - my grandparents - participated in the war. Yesterday I saw the statistics that say it is a holiday that is even more important than New Year for Russians." On his We Race As One shirt, Mazpein also wore the Ribbon of St. George, a Russian military symbol.