Formula 1 launched the ‘We Race As One’ initiative aimed at tackling the biggest issues facing the sport and global communities — the fight against COVID-19 and the condemnation of racism and inequality. Part of this initiative included the pre-race moment of reflection. Drivers would be dressed in ‘End Racism’ shirts and allowed time before the national anthem to express their moment of reflection in any way they wish. Because kneeling was a symbol of anti-racism, Lewis Hamilton, the only black driver in the entire field have led the charge to encourage and even personally spoke to some drivers to kneel as a united expression against racism. Despite that, some drivers remained standing. One of whom, is Charles Leclerc.
The past 24 hours have been a rough time for Formula 1 Ferrari young talent Charles Leclerc. Over the past few weeks, Leclerc joined a few other F1 drivers who remained standing during the pre-race proceedings when time is given for all to reflect about the systemic racism in the world of F1 and around the world. In a series of tweets, Leclerc insists that he should not be grouped with racists for his choice to remain standing. Leclerc attributed his decision to how the Black Lives Matter movement is too intertwined with politics that we refuses to participate in the political aspect of the movement.
But before we get into whether he should kneel, I want to first address the circus of a show that F1 put on for the moment of reflection. Since its introduction in Austria, for the first race in early July, F1 has made a joke out of the proceeding. This was immediately clear when F1 raced in Hungary. The moment of reflection was quickly cut before all the drivers even arrived. Drivers were scrambling to go into their positions, some kneeling for only 1 second before the anthem started playing and they had to stand up. Surely for a sport that attracts millions, this was a joke to watch. While the situation was not ideal, this was an issue that has significantly improved and we have seen some good ones particularly in the recent British Grand Prix. We would all just request that the TV footage don’t cut to show things in the sky or the environment because all these seemingly insignificant cuts really undercut the entire moment.
Fundamentally, the whole moment is already, in itself, undercut by the poor organisation of the moment. This chaos and confusion has left many fans disappointed. This coupled with the seemingly mixed message of some drivers standing while others kneeling, led to the outburst that Leclerc faced. While he was not the only driver that remained standing, certainly not the most prominent one, his presence on social media helped fuel the negative messages that came his way. Yet, many are also encouraged by his decision to remain standing. These are often the people who share the same view as him, that kneeling has become too political.
Should he be kneeling if he doesn’t believe he should? No. Does not kneeling make him a racist? No. I put myself in Leclerc’s shoes. Having read his tweets and how he is adamant that kneeling is political in nature, then we ought to consider that view point, because it has indeed been made very political. If standing helps one detaches himself from the political symbol of kneeling to contemplate about one’s privilege, then let him do so. I am not saying that Leclerc or the other drivers that remained standing are right in not kneeling, all I’m saying is, if kneeling is a stumbling block to them because of the political tone it has garnered, then don’t force it on them. Give time for one to reflect, learn and allow that process to slowly change their sentiments about kneeling. Rushing the process by flaming him only seeks undermine the whole process of learning.
Secondly, I want to remind everyone that #WeRaceAsOne is larger than just the issue of racism. Do a Google search on ‘We Race As One’ and it clearly shows, racism is not the top hit. Do not mistake ‘We Race As One’ with BLM. While one falls under the umbrella of another, it is not the entire thing. It may have motivated F1 to come up with such an initiative, but it is not the entire thing. Yes, BLM is a big social issue that needs action and should not be blindsided, but if you think big picture, the pre-race proceeding is marketed under the banner of ‘We Race As One’. Therefore, it is more than just about an outward expression of a driver being anti-racist. That moment of reflection, is larger than racism. It is about ‘the fight against COVID-19 and the condemnation of racism and inequality’.
While writing this, I am reminded by Formula E’s own initiative ‘Positively Charged’. Formula E is way ahead of F1 in this because Formula E was built on addressing these issues in the first place, starting with climate change. They then went into gender equality, working with children, equal healthcare and now racism. For the longest time, Formula E’s corporate response has always been to engage drivers and teams to take up these initiatives and promote awareness and advocate for change. Therefore, when Formula E restarted racing in Berlin, the pre-race moment of reflection covers more than just racism, but all the above issues and more. That moment of reflection was flatly introduced as a time to contemplate all these social issues. Some drivers chose to condemn racism by kneeling, others remained standing and reflected on other issues. It would be naive of us then to say, no, every one should kneel. Why should one kneel if one is reflecting on issues not directly linked to racism?
Back to F1, if we were to translate what we have seen in Formula E to F1, then wearing a shirt ‘End Racism’ sends a clear message of unity among the grid (yes might not be nearly enough). But this does not mean that during the moment of reflection, drivers have to be reflecting only about racism. I do not know what is gong through their minds, but I would like to paint a bigger picture that if we end up nitpicking drivers who do not kneel, we might very well be the ones that undercut the entire proceeding to consider broader topics that are also covered under the ‘We Race As One’ initiative. If however, that moment of reflection is meant only to condemn racism, then yes, to me all must kneel.
For me, we should have separate issues for reflection each week and theme the entire pre-race proceeding around it. For example, condemn anti-racism and promote gender equality at Austria, celebrate healthcare workers and focus on climate change at Britain etc. Focus on one issue each week, stick with it so that we do not lump a whole load of issues together and create confusion and leave fans wondering. Outrightly setting aside one issue each week not only makes things more clear, but it also removes the possibility of allowing drivers to show an ambiguous stand every race. Formula E should take note of this too.
I do wish to see the day when the entire grid (including mechanics and the pitwall) kneel, but if they choose not to, do not conclude that they are racist (yes, one in particular, have said racist things but that does not mean whatever I have said here is false). As F1 becomes more global and entering into more diverse parts of the world, they will start to dabble their feet into more social issues. From banning tobacco advertisements to removing grid girls, F1 have made big steps and these are often mandated by the management and leadership of F1. Therefore, until the day when it is mandated by the higher ups to kneel, I will take the view that that particular moment is left open for drivers to contemplate on the many issues under the umbrella of ‘We Race As One’.
Kneel or don’t kneel, criticisms will come their way, this is why for Charles, it is politicised. For Charles, he made his stand clear. Sending tweets his way only crystallise his view that kneeling and politics are tightly coupled. Until he reaches a point where he is able to reconcile that kneeling is decoupled with politics, he will continue to stand.
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