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Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has announced that Formula 1 will move away from a formal ‘take the knee’ ceremony ahead of races.
Since the start of the 2020 season Formula 1 has set aside a specific time ahead of races for drivers, who wish to do so, to perform the knee gesture and take a stand against racism.
However, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has now said this will not be done in 2022, as the sport wants to start focusing on actions instead of gestures.
“We have to not have to do politics,” Domenicali told Sky Sports F1.
“But I think now it’s a matter from gesture to action. Now the action is the focus on the diversity of our community. And this is the first step.
“I think that the gesture has already been important for the ones that believed that it was an important gesture.
“We need to respect everyone as always, but now is the time to move on and take some other action.”
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The drivers will still be free to perform the gesture, but there will not be any specific time set aside for this.
One of the actions Domenicali is speaking of is F1’s scholarship programme for under-represented groups, which was set up by former F1 CEO Chase Carey with a $1 million donation. The programme has been extended at least until 2025.
“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 continued.
“I think now it’s the matter of gesture, to action. Now the action is the focus on the diversity of our community.
“And this is the first step,” the Italian concluded.
Several sources have reported that Lewis Hamilton has been informed about this decision and that both him and Mercedes are ok with it and agree it is important to take action to increase diversity and prevent racism.
