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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matthew Cooper

Lando Norris "can't accept doing nothing" after F1 ditch pre-race taking of the knee

McLaren driver Lando Norris has insisted he "definitely can't accept doing nothing" after Formula 1 announced that drivers would no longer be taking the knee ahead of races during the upcoming 2022 season.

A number of drivers began taking a knee before races in 2020 in a bid to raise awareness for societal issues as part of F1's 'We Race as One' campaign.

However, F1 chief Stefano Domenicali has revealed the gesture will be dropped for the upcoming season, saying it is "time to move on and take some other action".

He told Sky Sports : "The [knee] gesture was important for the ones that believed that was an important gesture, because we need to respect everyone.

Lando Norris has said he "can't accept doing nothing" after F1 chiefs pulled the plug on the knee gesture (Andrea Diodato/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

"But now is the time to move on and take some other action. The action is the focus on the diversity of our community, and this is the first step.

"We are committed to increasing diversity and opportunity within this incredible sport."

Last week, Sebastian Vettel said he was "surprised" by the decision and Norris has supported Vettel's stance, saying he "can't accept doing nothing".

"I think it's tricky because we're still early in the season so it's not something we have spoken about so much," Norris said.

"But it will be something we definitely will speak about when the time comes, definitely beforehand, to make sure we are prepared and we're making the most of the opportunities we can have to speak about whatever matter it is.

"And there are always things we can do as drivers. There are always things that we can do separately as drivers to speak out about these kinds of things and I think more and more of us are doing that.

"What we do as a group, taking the knee or some not taking the knee, I think it doesn't have to simply be that. I think there are other ways to go about those means and stand up for whatever matter it is, to inspire kids, to raise awareness for issues and different matters.

Drivers take a knee ahead of last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Kamran Jebreili - Pool/Getty Images)

"I think it doesn't have to be that but I'm not too sure yet. It is something that we will speak about as drivers, something we will speak about with Formula One and I'm sure it is something they are thinking of, you would hope anyway, as Formula One with the audience we have.

"I'm sure that they haven't done it for nothing so we'll see. We will speak about it and we'll make sure there are things in place because I definitely still support Sebastian on the side of it's worth doing things,' he added.

"Whether it's just before the race or it's another time at the start of the weekend or inviting people to the weekends, we will wait and see. But definitely I can't accept doing nothing."

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