Lewis Hamilton will begin his campaign for a record-equalling seventh world title on Sunday on a grid where rivals are pushing back at his passionate anti-racism message after he suggested they lacked understanding of the issues.

Hamilton will start the delayed season opener at the Red Bull Ring in the foothills of the spectacular Styrian Alps second on the grid alongside Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas.

However, before lights out, eyes will be on how many knees will be down on the tarmac in support of Black Lives Matter.

Some of the 20 drivers may prefer to demonstrate their support by staying on their feet.

What appears to be a split became clear when Hamilton, the&nbsp;sport's only black world champion, revealed his thoughts following Friday's drivers meeting and a statement issued on their behalf by the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA).

It is expected that the drivers will all wear t-shirts in support of their stance against racism, but Hamilton hinted their reluctance to go further and take a knee may be due to a lack of understanding of racism.

He said he had explained his views to his fellow-drivers, pointing out that silence is "generally complicit".

"I think it is part of a dialogue of people trying to understand because there are still some who don't fully understand what is happening and the reason for these protests," said the 35-year-old.

"I continue to try to be that guider and try to influence as many people as I can."

In a statement, the GPDA chairman Alex Wurz said: "All 20 drivers stand united with their teams against racism," adding that they would show their public support for the cause ahead of Sunday's race, but recognising and respecting that each individual has the freedom to show their support in their own way.

After qualifying second behind Bottas for Sunday's race, Hamilton said he had acknowledged a lot of the drivers who had followed a message he posted by ending their silence and using their social media platforms "because they have a great voice and platform."

The drivers are expected to wear t-shirts bearing a message "End Racism" before the race.

He said he had not decided what he would do before the race.&nbsp;

"I don't have any plans – I haven't thought that far forward, but I am sure that over the evening, we will.

"It was good that we are all at least in discussion."

On the track on Saturday, meanwhile, Finnish driver Bottas outpaced Hamilton with a best lap in qualifying in one minute and 2.939 seconds and then survived an 'off' into the gravel and a spin on his final lap to remain 0.012 seconds clear of the Briton.

It was Bottas' third pole at the Austrian Grand Prix and the 12th of his career.

Max Verstappen was third for Red Bull, half a second adrift of the two newly-painted 'black arrows' cars whose dominating performance delivered a 65th front row lock out for Mercedes, equalling Ferrari's record.

Lando Norris was an impressive fourth for McLaren ahead of Alex Albon in the second Red Bull and Sergio Perez who was sixth in Racing Point's 'pink Mercedes'.

Charles Leclerc was a disappointed seventh for Ferrari ahead of his future team-mate Carlos Sainz in the second McLaren, Lance Stroll in the second Racing Point and Daniel Ricciardo of Renault.

Lewis Hamilton will begin his campaign for a record-equalling seventh world title on Sunday on a grid where rivals are pushing back at his passionate anti-racism message after he suggested they lacked understanding of the issues.

Lewis Hamilton will begin his campaign for a record-equalling seventh world title on Sunday on a grid where rivals are pushing back at his passionate anti-racism message after he suggested they lacked understanding of the issues. Hamilton will start the delayed season opener at the Red Bull Ring in the foothills of the spectacular Styrian Alps second on the grid alongside Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas. However, before lights out, eyes will be on how many knees will be down on the tarmac in support of Black Lives Matter. Some of the 20 drivers may prefer to demonstrate their support by staying on their feet. What appears to be a split became clear when Hamilton, the sport's only black world champion, revealed his thoughts following Friday's drivers meeting and a statement issued on their behalf by the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA). It is expected that the drivers will all wear t-shirts in support of their stance against racism, but Hamilton hinted their reluctance to go further and take a knee may be due to a lack of understanding of racism. He said he had explained his views to his fellow-drivers, pointing out that silence is "generally complicit". "I think it is part of a dialogue of people trying to understand because there are still some who don't fully understand what is happening and the reason for these protests," said the 35-year-old. "I continue to try to be that guider and try to influence as many people as I can." In a statement, the GPDA chairman Alex Wurz said: "All 20 drivers stand united with their teams against racism," adding that they would show their public support for the cause ahead of Sunday's race, but recognising and respecting that each individual has the freedom to show their support in their own way. After qualifying second behind Bottas for Sunday's race, Hamilton said he had acknowledged a lot of the drivers who had followed a message he posted by ending their silence and using their social media platforms "because they have a great voice and platform." The drivers are expected to wear t-shirts bearing a message "End Racism" before the race. He said he had not decided what he would do before the race. "I don't have any plans – I haven't thought that far forward, but I am sure that over the evening, we will. "It was good that we are all at least in discussion." On the track on Saturday, meanwhile, Finnish driver Bottas outpaced Hamilton with a best lap in qualifying in one minute and 2.939 seconds and then survived an 'off' into the gravel and a spin on his final lap to remain 0.012 seconds clear of the Briton. It was Bottas' third pole at the Austrian Grand Prix and the 12th of his career. Max Verstappen was third for Red Bull, half a second adrift of the two newly-painted 'black arrows' cars whose dominating performance delivered a 65th front row lock out for Mercedes, equalling Ferrari's record. Lando Norris was an impressive fourth for McLaren ahead of Alex Albon in the second Red Bull and Sergio Perez who was sixth in Racing Point's 'pink Mercedes'. Charles Leclerc was a disappointed seventh for Ferrari ahead of his future team-mate Carlos Sainz in the second McLaren, Lance Stroll in the second Racing Point and Daniel Ricciardo of Renault.

Lewis Hamilton's path to seventh world title may begin on its knees

British Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton will begin a commission to help motorsport engage more young people from black backgrounds and drive diversity.&nbsp;

The 35-year-old Formula One driver said that he is working with the Royal Academy of Engineering to create a research partnership, the Hamilton Commission, as per his column in the Sunday Times newspaper.&nbsp;

The six-time Formula One champion spoke about the times he has been a victim of racism during his prolific career and despite success "the institutional barriers that have kept F1 highly exclusive persist.

"It is not enough to point to me, or to a single new black hire, as a meaningful example of progress. Thousands of people are employed across this industry and that group needs to be more representative of society," he added.

Lewis Hamilton is Formula One's first black champion and has spoken in support of Black Lives Matter protests. He said that education was &nbsp;"the key to unlocking a more equal society."

"Winning championships is great, but I want to be remembered for my work creating a more equal society through education. That's what drives me," he said.

The commission set up by Hamilton will help young people from black backgrounds with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects in the field of motorsports.

"The time for platitudes and token gestures is over," said the Mercedes driver.

"I hope that The Hamilton Commission enables real, tangible and measurable change.

"When I look back in 20 years, I want to see the sport that gave a shy, working-class black kid from Stevenage so much opportunity, become as diverse as the complex and multicultural world we live in." 
&nbsp; 
(Inputs from Reuters)

British Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton will begin a commission to help motorsport engage more young people from black backgrounds and drive diversity.

British Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton will begin a commission to help motorsport engage more young people from black backgrounds and drive diversity. The 35-year-old Formula One driver said that he is working with the Royal Academy of Engineering to create a research partnership, the Hamilton Commission, as per his column in the Sunday Times newspaper. The six-time Formula One champion spoke about the times he has been a victim of racism during his prolific career and despite success "the institutional barriers that have kept F1 highly exclusive persist. "It is not enough to point to me, or to a single new black hire, as a meaningful example of progress. Thousands of people are employed across this industry and that group needs to be more representative of society," he added. Lewis Hamilton is Formula One's first black champion and has spoken in support of Black Lives Matter protests. He said that education was "the key to unlocking a more equal society." "Winning championships is great, but I want to be remembered for my work creating a more equal society through education. That's what drives me," he said. The commission set up by Hamilton will help young people from black backgrounds with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects in the field of motorsports. "The time for platitudes and token gestures is over," said the Mercedes driver. "I hope that The Hamilton Commission enables real, tangible and measurable change. "When I look back in 20 years, I want to see the sport that gave a shy, working-class black kid from Stevenage so much opportunity, become as diverse as the complex and multicultural world we live in." (Inputs from Reuters)

Formula One: Lewis Hamilton launches commission to push diversity in motorsport

Six-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has backed the anti-racism protestors who pulled down the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol&nbsp;while urging governments across the world to take similar action.

The protests are taking place worldwide in the wake of the death of an unarmed black man – George Floyd – in police custody in Minneapolis but in Bristol, the protestors threw the statue of Colston into the harbour.

Hamilton challenged the government officials worldwide to implement peaceful removal of racist symbols as he said the statue should stay in the river just like the 20 thousand African souls who died on their journey and their bodies were thrown into the sea. &nbsp;

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Hamilton, taking to Instagram, wrote: “I challenge government officials worldwide to make these changes and implement the peaceful removal of these racist symbols.

“That man’s statue should stay in the river just like the 20 thousand African souls who died on the journey here and thrown into the sea, with no burial or memorial. He stole them from their families, country and he must not be celebrated!”

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/if-you-think-i-am-a-racist-then-anthony-joshua-lashes-out-at-critics-after-black-lives-matter-protest-speech-304231" hreflang="en">'If you think I am a racist then...' - Anthony Joshua lashes out at critics after Black Lives Matter protest speech</a>

Hamilton has been one of the highest-profile celebrities to come forward and actively support the Black Lives Matter movement and even called out his sport’s initial silence over the killing of Floyd.

F1 managing director praised Hamilton for being a great ambassador of the sport while backing him in his stance against anti-racism.

“Lewis is a great ambassador for the sport and his comments are very valid,” Brawn told Sky Sports’ The F1 Show. “We support him completely.”

Six-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has backed the anti-racism protestors who pulled down the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol while urging governments across the world to take similar action.

Six-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has backed the anti-racism protestors who pulled down the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol while urging governments across the world to take similar action. The protests are taking place worldwide in the wake of the death of an unarmed black man – George Floyd – in police custody in Minneapolis but in Bristol, the protestors threw the statue of Colston into the harbour. Hamilton challenged the government officials worldwide to implement peaceful removal of racist symbols as he said the statue should stay in the river just like the 20 thousand African souls who died on their journey and their bodies were thrown into the sea. ALSO READ: NBA legend Jordan donating $100 million to social justice groups Hamilton, taking to Instagram, wrote: “I challenge government officials worldwide to make these changes and implement the peaceful removal of these racist symbols. “That man’s statue should stay in the river just like the 20 thousand African souls who died on the journey here and thrown into the sea, with no burial or memorial. He stole them from their families, country and he must not be celebrated!” ALSO READ: 'If you think I am a racist then...' - Anthony Joshua lashes out at critics after Black Lives Matter protest speech Hamilton has been one of the highest-profile celebrities to come forward and actively support the Black Lives Matter movement and even called out his sport’s initial silence over the killing of Floyd. F1 managing director praised Hamilton for being a great ambassador of the sport while backing him in his stance against anti-racism. “Lewis is a great ambassador for the sport and his comments are very valid,” Brawn told Sky Sports’ The F1 Show. “We support him completely.”

Lewis Hamilton backs anti-racism protestors who threw Edward Colston's statue in the river, says 'he must not be celebrated'