Chief executive Stefano Domenicali told Sky Sports it will no longer give drivers time to prepare for races as it looks set to introduce more concrete actions to combat racism.
Formula One launches its diverse, inclusive and sustainable platform “We Race As One” in 2020, including a pre-race moment when drivers gather on the grid to show support for the initiative with a gesture of their choice.
“I think it’s time to move on from just a gesture of knowing something really important to a plan,” says Domenicali.
“I think it’s an important gesture because we need to respect everyone as always. But now is the time to move on and take some other action.”
Several drivers, most notably Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion who advocates for human rights, ends racial inequality and environmental causes, has chosen to kneel.
Others remained standing while wearing T-shirts bearing messages supporting various causes.
In 2021, F1 also ran a video of all 20 drivers that was played just before the pre-race assist.
A Formula One spokesperson said the video will still be broadcast this season and the “We Race As One” branding will showcase around the racetracks.
Domenicali’s interview with Sky Sports comes as Formula One announced a four-year extension to its engineering scholarship program for underrepresented groups until 2025.
The program, launched last year, has helped 10 students find engineering degrees at universities in the UK and Italy.
Domenicali seems optimistic that Hamilton will continue racingafter the Briton broke his nearly two-month silence following a controversial defeat in the world Abu Dhabi with a social media post on Friday.
Hamilton has yet to commit to the 2022 season. The seven-time world champion was “disillusioned” with his loss of the title to Max Verstappen in December, when F1 race director Michael Masi mishandled his goals. rules to force a sprint to the finish line.
Domenicali said: “I saw the last photo as a positive light on his face and gestures. “I think that’s important because Lewis is an incredible asset not only to our sport but to the world.
“Lewis has the potential to be an eight-time world champion in the short term. I think his battery will be fully charged at the start of the season.”
The Formula One season kicks off on March 20 in Bahrain.
