By Jerome Pugmire | The Associated Press
SPIELBERG, Austria—All 20 Formula One drivers are going to show their support for the fight against racism before Sunday’s season-opening Austrian Grand Prix, although they will do so individually on the grid rather than with a collective gesture.
Soccer players on fields in England and Germany have taken the knee together simultaneously before games in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and F1 drivers discussed what to do during a drivers’ briefing on Friday evening.
“All 20 drivers stand united with their teams against racism and prejudice, at the same time embracing the principles of diversity, equality and inclusion,” the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association said on Saturday. “Each individual has the freedom to show their support for ending racism in their own way and will be free to choose how to do this ahead of the race start.”
World champion Lewis Hamilton has spoken widely about racism in recent weeks following the death in Minneapolis of George Floyd—a handcuffed and unarmed Black man—after a police officer pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly eight minutes in May. Hamilton attended a Black Lives Matter march in London and is setting up a commission to increase diversity in motorsport.
The six-time F1 champion, who is the only black driver in F1, was asked after Saturday’s qualifying session if he plans to take the knee before the race at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.
“Honestly, I don’t have any plans at the moment. I’ve not thought that far forward,” Hamilton said. “We spoke in the drivers’ briefing. Interesting. But it was good that we’re all at least in discussion. I don’t know what we’ll see tomorrow.”
On Thursday, Hamilton called out other F1 teams for not doing enough to combat racism, and said the sport still needs to push for more diversity. Mercedes is competing in an all-black car instead of the usual silver, while Hamilton and teammate Valtteri Bottas have “End Racism” written on the car’s halo.
Hamilton praised some drivers for speaking out against racism, but he still feels others need to do more and he raised that in their briefing.
“Just saying ‘thank you’ for those who have said something on their social media platforms because they’ve got a great voice, a great platform, then encouraging those who haven’t to say something,” Hamilton said. “I just described the scenario that silence is generally complicit. There still is some silence in some cases…. There are people who still don’t fully understand exactly what is happening and what [is] the reason for these protests.”
French driver Romain Grosjean plans to take a knee on Sunday.
“I wasn’t a great fan [of the idea] in the beginning,” Grosjean said. “But afterward I read a lot of things on the subject and now I think it’s a gesture a sportsman must make to show he’s against racism.”
Valtteri Bottas, meanwhile, upstaged Hamilton on Saturday to take pole position for Formula One’s season-opening Austrian Grand Prix.
The Finnish driver edged out the world champion by .012 seconds at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. He clenched his fist as he climbed out of his car and shared a hug with Hamilton.
“It’s something special when you push the car to the limit,” said Bottas, who is chasing an eighth career win. “Feels so good. It’s very impressive [from the team].”
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was third and Lando Norris gave McLaren a boost by finishing fourth. Verstappen has won the past two years here, including 2019 when he started third behind Hamilton and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
“It’s going to be interesting quite a bit warmer tomorrow and hopefully this will play to our advantage,” Verstappen said. “Today, Mercedes was on a different level, unfortunately. Last year we were also a little bit off in qualifying so I expect we will be a bit better in the race.”
Bottas had the leading time when drivers embarked on their final laps and beat his own mark before sliding off the track into the gravel.
Hamilton was chasing a record-extending 89th career pole. He was ahead but then dropped off slightly as Bottas secured a 12th career pole.
“Great job by Valtteri. It’s a great start to the season,” Hamilton said. “We show year on year that we continue to be the best team. We’re open-minded…constantly learning from each other and pushing the boundaries.”
Ferrari struggled for speed, with Leclerc nearly one second behind in seventh and Sebastian Vettel failing to make it into the third and final part of qualifying, known as Q3. He starts the race from 11th on the grid.
Vettel is leaving Ferrari at the end of the season with his future in F1 uncertain.
Earlier, Hamilton posted the fastest time in morning practice. The 35-year-old British driver was also quickest in both sessions on Friday.
Midway through third practice, F1 newcomer Nicholas Latifi misjudged the exit of a turn and spun his Williams car into a protective tire wall.
Image credits: AP