Steiner defends Grosjean after Hamilton comments - "It's a free world"

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has defended Romain Grosjean in the wake of Lewis Hamilton's criticism of the Frenchman for no longer taking a knee.

Hamilton's comments followed another disjointed effort from the drivers prior to the start of Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix.

The six-time F1 champion cited Grand Prix Drivers' Association director Grosjean for being "one of them that thinks it was done once and that’s all we need to do".

Steiner, however, claims "it's a free world" and his driver should be allowed to do what he considers is right, and that not taking a knee does not make him a racist.

"I think it’s everybody’s personal decision what to do, and I think, I know Romain very well, for sure he supports it," said Steiner.

“There is also the question of how long do we do this? You show your support, and we support him as a team, as human beings, but personally, it’s everybody’s own decision what they want to do with it, and how long they want to do it.

“I think we are all up for it, but we have done it, and if someone decides not to do it anymore, then it doesn’t mean he is not against racism. We should be conscious of that as well.

“It’s a free world. I respect everybody in the world, and we have done it, Romain has done it, and it is his own decision about what he does going forward.”

Hamilton stated after the race he would be speaking to F1 CEO Chase Carey and FIA president Jean Todt to ensure there is a more co-ordinated effort at future grands prix.

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