F1 News
Disobeying drivers get reprimand from FIA for rainbow shirt
- GPblog.com
Just like during the European Football Championship, much has been said about the position of gays in Hungary prior to the Hungarian Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton already spoke out about it and also the 'We Race As One' campaign of Formula 1 clearly shows on which side of the debate the sport wants to be. Yet it is not always easy to make a statement.
Before each Grand Prix, the drivers have a moment to reflect on the 'We Race As One' campaign since last year. They wear a t-shirt with the logo of the campaign on it and drivers are free to express similar opinions. In Hungary drivers did this with a special rainbow t-shirt with 'Same Love' on it.
When the national anthem of the host country is played shortly afterwards, drivers are obliged to take off their t-shirts. In Hungary there were four drivers who suddenly forgot this. Sebastian Vettel, Carlos Sainz, Lance Stroll and Valtteri Bottas received an official reprimand from the FIA.
The stewards were unanimous in saying they forgot to do this because it started to rain, but Vettel told Sky Sports he would do it again without hesitation. That doesn't give the impression that this was accidental.