Bojan Vrbnjak
Last Sunday, in Austria the opening race of this year's delayed season has started Formula 1, which not only caused excitement on the track, but also off it. Kneeling racers before the start of the race and the six that did not, it has already sparked many debates that already extend into politics.
Jean Todt, president of the umbrella organization FIA, he warned that they must Formulas 1 keep an eye on political issues that obviously enter into paddock of the royal class of motorsport. “Sometimes there is a tendency to use it as a weapon and because of that we have to be very careful about it. But I admire those who believe they can do their best."
This topic divided fans Formula 1 on social media, many expressed disappointment and anger at those who chose not to kneel, as well as the racers who did. Former Russian Formula 1 driver Vitaly Petrov is for a news agency Tass said: “I believe that everyone has the right to speak. And everyone can do it in their own way. You can demand that something happen, but don't criticize someone who doesn't agree with your point of view. We should respect the opinions of others."
Of course it did Petrov announced because his countryman Daniil Kvyat, the AlphaTauri team racer, did not kneel. She also stood up for her compatriot Svetlana Zhurova, Olympic champion in speed skating: "When someone kneels in front of another, it is part of discrimination and it is part of humiliation."
Igor Ermilin, a former consultant Putin for motorsport, he added: “This is America's problem. Let them kneel if they so choose. But this should not be a question of sport.” Former professional boxer Nikolai Valuev, and added: "We Russians kneel before our flag, for our homeland and for our parents. But I don't understand this gesture against racism. I don't consider myself a racist, but why should I kneel? This can be perceived as if you are guilty of something. And as far as I understand, yes
