The pre-race ceremony where many drivers take the knee will change in 2022, with Stefano Domenicali stating that F1 is keen to focus on "action" rather than "gestures" in its anti-racism efforts. Since the beginning of the 2020 season, the sport has pushed for increased diversity with its We Race As One initiative. This has involved holding the ceremony before races where drivers gather at the front of the grid, with many opting to take the knee. Domenicali has now confirmed that drivers will still be able to take the knee if they wish, but that the formal ceremony will no longer be held. "I think the gesture has been an important gesture because we need to respect everyone, as always," Domenicali, the CEO of Formula 1, told Sky Sports F1 . "But now is the time to move on and take some other action."
New diversity push for F1 is "first step"
As part of its efforts towards increasing diversity, F1 is extending its engineering scholarship programme for under-represented groups. The initiative began last year and will now be extended until 2025. 10 students will be offered scholarships each year. Domenicali believes that this type of action is the "first step" in the sport's continued work. "We needed to make sure that what we did was important to show the intention of Formula 1 in things that were really important for the world," he explained. "I think now it's the matter of [changing] gesture, to action. Now the action is the focus on the diversity of our community, and this is the first step." Lewis Hamilton has been a key figure in working towards increasing diversity within motorsport, and it was recently confirmed that his charitable foundation, Mission 44, will launch a new partnership with Sky as both parties continue their work towards tackling systemic racism. It is reported by Sky Sports F1 that Hamilton supports F1's stance on their anti-racism efforts in 2022.
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