Six racers refused to kneel in solidarity with their fellow drivers ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Six drivers decline to take knee at Austrian Grand Prix

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 7/5/20

Six Formula One drivers could be in hot water after not joining their fellow racers in taking a knee during the national anthem.

Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Kimi Raikkonen were among six drivers who declined to kneel during the national anthem ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, according to ESPN's Nate Saunders.

Before the race, drivers wore T-shirts having the words "End Racism" and "Black Lives Matter" on them. Daniil Kvyat, Carlos Sainz and Antonio Giovinazzi also declined to take a knee.

Two of the six drivers who chose to remain standing during the anthem expressed their beliefs and discomfort with kneeling during the national anthem on social media.

I believe that what matters are facts and behaviours in our daily life rather than formal gestures that could be seen as controversial in some countries. I will not take the knee but this does not mean at all that I am less committed than others in the fight against racism.
— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) July 5, 2020

I am very committed to equality and the fight against racism. But I believe everyone has the right to express themself at a time and in a way that suits them. I will not take the knee today but respect and support the personal choices every driver makes #WeRaceAsOne #EndRacism
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) July 5, 2020

The drivers who knelt during the national anthem likely will do so in future races as well. The Austrian Grand Prix is followed by the Steiermark Grand Prix on July 12 and the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 19.

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