Aston Martin

Vettel "surprised" by F1 decision to end pre-race kneeling

Sam Hall Saturday 12 February 2022 09:30

Vettel "surprised" by F1 decision to end pre-race kneeling

Sebastian Vettel has conceded to being "surprised" at F1 scrapping the pre-race taking of the knee for the coming season.

Earlier this week, F1 confirmed it would be making changes to its 'We Race as One' messaging with the sport to move on "from gestures to actions".

The action of kneeling remains commonplace in other sports personalities continuing to promote the message of equality.

Asked at the launch of the Aston Martin AMR22 if drivers had been advised of the changes, Vettel said: "No, they just changed.

"I was a bit surprised. I think the issues we were tackling are not going to be gone within two years and therefore I was a bit surprised.

"I hope that as drivers, we find a way to get together and find a slot, still expressing topics that are important to us."

F1 will continue to display a video promoting the WRAO message in the pre-race buildup with branding also to be displayed trackside.

Vettel has been vocal in calling out the need for change in recent years with his display of opposition to the anti-LGBTQ+ laws in Hungary a prominent example.

"Probably not all the drivers care, but a lot of us really do care," added Vettel.

"It will be great to get together but probably it was getting a bit too strong and too individual for the business side of things."

Latest News

Mercedes

Hamilton receives HUGE Mercedes blow as end of season plans revealed

33 minutes ago

F1 Legends

Verstappen handed EMOTIONAL verdict over Red Bull treatment

1 hour ago

Racing Superstars

McLaren star achieves HISTORIC race victory

2 hours ago

F1 Off the Track

Ex-Red Bull F1 star sees race CANCELLED after bizarre crash

3 hours ago

F1 News & Gossip

Wolff reveals Pep Guardiola role in Hamilton Ferrari switch

Today 14:42

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Mercedes handed Hamilton blame as champion given NEW contract

Today 13:52

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2024

GP MONACO 24 - 26 May

GP AUSTRIA 28 - 30 Jun

George Russell

GP GREAT BRITAIN 5 - 7 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP HUNGARY 19 - 21 Jul

Oscar Piastri

GP BELGIUM 26 - 28 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP NETHERLANDS 23 - 25 Aug

Lando Norris

GP ITALY 30 Aug - 1 Sep

Charles Leclerc

GP AZERBAIJAN 13 - 15 Sep

Oscar Piastri

GP SINGAPORE 20 - 22 Sep

Lando Norris

GP USA 18 - 20 Oct

Charles Leclerc

GP MEXICO 25 - 27 Oct

GP QATAR 29 Nov - 1 Dec

GP ABU DHABI 6 - 8 Dec

Complete kalender 2024

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

Vettel "surprised" by F1 decision to end pre-race kneeling

Vettel "surprised" by F1 decision to end pre-race kneeling