Leclerc hits back at racism accusations for not taking a knee | Inquirer Sports

Leclerc hits back at racism accusations for not taking a knee

/ 05:20 PM August 07, 2020

Charles Leclerc

FILE — he runner up Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc wearing a protective face mask after the race, as F1 resumes following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Mark Thompson/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

SILVERSTONE, England– Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc hit out on Thursday at those who accused him of racist behavior in not taking a knee alongside other Formula One drivers before grands prix.

While six-times champion Lewis Hamilton has worn a ‘Black Lives Matter’ T-shirt and taken a knee before all four races to date this season, drivers are free to choose their individual gesture of support.

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Seven drivers, including Leclerc, remained standing last weekend.

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“It is very sad to see how some people manipulate my words to make headlines making me sound like a racist,” Leclerc, 22, said on Twitter moments before attending a 70th Anniversary Grand Prix news conference.

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“I am not racist and I absolutely hate racism. Racism is disgusting.

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“Stop putting me in the same group as these disgusting people that are discriminating others because of their skin color, religion or gender. I’m not part of them and I never will,” he added.

“And to whoever is using my image to promote their wrong ideas, please stop. I’m not into politics and I don’t want to be involved in that.”

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Leclerc told reporters he had got frustrated with being falsely accused.

“I just don’t want to be judged anymore,” he said.

“As I have said many times, I am quite active on social media and I do not accept to be called the way I have been called in the last few weeks, negatively obviously, just because of not kneeling.”

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TAGS: Black Lives Matter, Charles Leclerc, F1 Grand Prix, Ferrari, Formula One

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