To think that F1 is adopting a quasi-religious mantra in “WeRaceAsOne”?

[Notjustanymum]

As a long-lapsed RC, I recall that one of the central ways of proclaiming your religion was the chanting, in unison, of prayers, particularly the Creed or Credo, in a public place (Church). This always made me cringe inwardly, as I felt that God* would know if I was just saying it, rather than meaning it, so felt it was said out loud just to make others a. Feel a part of the community, b. Allow particularly nasty holier-than-thou’s to spot if you weren’t word perfect and c. To enable those with a particular bent to become holier-than-thou on all things proving your allegiance to the Catholic faith.
*if one exists...
Feeling uncomfortable with the conformist leanings of this practice was just one of the many reasons I lapsed, basing my dislike of this on generally patriarchic directives that I felt were several centuries out of date...
However, in 2020 and again in 2021, The F1 drivers now all seem to chant their own creed, in the guise of “WeRaceAsOne”, before each and every race on TV.
I really detest this; I wonder if they are all joining in of free will, and I hate the correlation with community prayer that talks about their beliefs (as sportspersons) in this way, just like reciting a creed communally indicates that it’s something everyone should join in with.
It’s almost as if, like with formal prayers said within the Mass, by not joining in vocally, you’re in the wrong or at least being disrespectful...
I have no objection to the statement being written on the website as a mission statement for the sport for anyone interested in what it’s all about, but just having to listen to it chanted before each race puts me right off.
Does anyone else feel this way? I’m aware that my feelings around religion and conformity might be a bit unusual (but that’s because of my experiences in life)

YABU - it’s harmless
YANBU - it’s performance preaching

YABU.

I do take it with a sack of salt though. It's easy to make grand gestures like that, actually putting 'we race as one' into practice is something else. Apart from giving LH lip service, what has F1 actually done in its policy and practice to ensure there's no racism, and make sure that there is equity in the sport for people of all backgrounds?

I can't think of many sports where individual race is celebrated as much as in f1. Drivers come from all over the world, they race under their nations flag and if they win the national anthem is played.

People from different backgrounds need to be encouraged into the sport, but from what it's more about the money in your pockets then the place you were born or the colour of your skin.

@CommanderBurnham, you have actually summed up, in far fewer words than I could, what I feel the RC Church has managed to do with its message of love, peace, humility and people in general🤔

An inherently racist sport committing to global equality is quite different from reciting mass. For example:

It’s almost as if, like with formal prayers said within the Mass, by not joining in vocally, you’re in the wrong or at least being disrespectful...

If you aren't keen on eradicating racism, then many would argue that you are wrong and disrespectful and it appears that the majority of the members the Formula 1 racing community are among them.

I'm not sure why you would argue for an environment in which overt racism was not discouraged but, having read some of the comments about the England team taking the knee, there are clearly plenty of sports fans who agree with you.

People from different backgrounds need to be encouraged into the sport, but from what it's more about the money in your pockets then the place you were born or the colour of your skin.

But the colour of your skin has a direct impact on the money in your pockets - isn't that the problem?

So all white children have parents who can afford to get them competing in karting?

The amount of money it takes is huge, I personally don't know any families who could even consider it.

If they want to make f1 equal for all it starts at the bottom, that includes everyone.

They were all given a script to read, filmed individually and then had it cut together. I don't know if they were "forced" to do it, probably they were contractually required and it's not like anyone is going to come out and say they are opposed to it.

I found last year's one worse, especially the Daniel Ricciardo (apparent) ad lib "Equality for everyone!" - he was doing his usual happy persona but it came out like he was taking the piss.

It's interesting that the majority (?) don't take the knee anymore. There was a lot of negativity about that last year but most of the time it's not commented upon now. I'm kind of glad about that, the kneeling is the most contrived act of the lot.

I'd rather stand against racism, but maybe that's just me.

The idea of equality in any competition is illogical.
At best one can have a set of rules that are enforced without favour.
In my opinion, motor sport does that. The end result is the best development of engines and cars.

Something like changing how a whole sport operates doesn't happen overnight. Loads of current drivers and former drivers do try to do their bit from the grass roots level, but it does take time.
Unfortunately when you have the likes of Mazepin who has a F1 seat in 2021 and is there because daddy bought a F1 team, rather than other drivers who did really well in F2 last years and deserved to move up to F1 (and who unlike Mazepin are not a liability off the track either) they don't seem to be practicing what they are saying. If you have money, you get a seat, it doesn't have to be down to pure talent. I honestly think that if Lewis was trying to break into F1 now, he wouldn't be able to, even though he is a phenomenal driver.

Also, if it's not too much effort, can you not compare the sport of F1 to the RC church? They are two completely different entities and one has indoctrinated paedophiles and caused untold pain and anguish to 1000's of people over the years due to their beliefs and the other is a fun entertaining sport that gives enjoyment to millions! They are poles apart.

@DysmalRadius, what makes you think I’m advocating an environment in which overt racism is encouraged? I am keen on eradicating racism, just not on chanting my keen-ness in a collective way, along with my peers, in order to be “seen to be” anti racist.
It’s the potential for hypocrisy (“I said it in public therefore I’m good” mentality) that makes me uneasy, as I’ve seen fine upstanding Christians who in every other part of their lives except parish/church, have been going against all Christian teachings.
I step in if someone is being racially harassed or profiled (have had to do so twice at work and once on public transport). Deeds mean more than words...

I don’t see anything dogmatic about the #weraceasone at all. If anything all they have done is make two videos in the last two years (with varying degrees of enthusiasm from the drivers involved) stuck a hashtag in various places, then started a new race in Saudi Arabia. Far from a need to conform to a non racist, inclusive ideal, everyone from Formula 1 management to the drivers are just keeping doing what they were always doing. Without Lewis Hamilton I doubt that the sport would have even tried for the veneer of inclusivity.

If I understand what you’re saying, both the creed and ‘race as one’ mantra have an element of just paying lip service? If that’s right, then I agree. There are people who turn up to church every week, say the creed, the Lord’s Prayer, sing the hymns but don’t actually listen to the words of the sermon or live a particularly Christian lifestyle. There are also drivers who are not particularly interested in encouraging grass-roots driving or encouraging diversity because then they wouldn’t be able to buy a place on the team but hiding behind the ‘we race as one’ is enough of a smoke screen.

I think it’s clear that the main instigator of ‘we race as one’ is LH with a few others actually showing an interest and agreeing to the principles. I think if BLM hadn’t been so prominent last year then we wouldn’t be seeing that mantra, no matter how passionate LH is. So it does feel like they are paying lip service and not much else. I know that change takes time and the schedule is still being hampered by covid but there can be changes they can start to implement to show their committed to diversity. One example would be not to add a track in Saudi whilst saying they support inclusion and diversity in the sport. I think it’s a shame because clearly diversity in racing means a lot to LH (and some other drivers) but F1 can only pay lip service for so long before people start to get pissed off that they aren’t actually doing anything to change it. Or the video and it’s sentiments fade into some long forgotten footage archive.

@EverdeRose

So all white children have parents who can afford to get them competing in karting?

The amount of money it takes is huge, I personally don't know any families who could even consider it.

If they want to make f1 equal for all it starts at the bottom, that includes everyone.

The barriers facing POC in certain sports in this country are much than simply financial. I had wealthy cousins and a former manager who threw a lot of money at providing professional football training for their children (all Asian) and got nowhere. One scout actually told my former manager that although his son had the talent, they 'don't take on Asian kids as they're not ruthless enough'. His son ended up becoming a sports physiotherapist instead. The irony was that although he looked Asian, he was actually half white. Racist attitudes in sport runs deep.

This article highlights some of the barriers black parents have faced getting their kids into motorsport. Well worth a read: www.google.com/amp/s/metro.co.uk/2020/10/08/lewis-hamilton-is-still-the-only-black-driver-the-dads-fighting-racism-in-formula-1-13378280/amp/

As long as Nikita Mazipin is on the grid the whole 'we race as one' is just lip service anyway.
Frankly I don't know how they have the nerve to keep pushing it.

And by that I mean Mazepin openly groping women on Instagram, not his pay seat.

@AdobeWanKenobi

I've had a theory for some time now that in order forcthere to be a race in Russia its demanded that there is a Russian driver in f1. The money that it must have coat to secure mazepin's seat must be extortionate even compared to usual pay seats.

I agree with you OP. The whole performance appears very stifling.

The gesture implies subservience also, and it's very likely many of them feel uncomfortable doing it but are forced to.

Not sure who's driving this exactly, but sports and politics or activism do not belong together.

[quote EverdeRose]@AdobeWanKenobi

I've had a theory for some time now that in order forcthere to be a race in Russia its demanded that there is a Russian driver in f1. The money that it must have coat to secure mazepin's seat must be extortionate even compared to usual pay seats.[/quote]
Probably not wrong. There are rumblings in the paddock that Haas will disappear as a team at the end of the season with a buy out from Daddy Mazepin. Can't see Gene Haas funding this shit show into another season so wouldnt surprise me.

But if I were Russia demanding a driver on the grid, I would have either stuck with Kvyat, or chosen Robert Shwartzman from F2. Both better drivers and not complete dicks.

I think Mazepin will be around for a while though. Haas are putting all of their eggs in the rule change basket, and if they don't succeed I guess it will be Uralkali Racing for 2023. They're already driving around in Russian flag!

I think it’s clear that the main instigator of ‘we race as one’ is LH

It seems to be the case. But it's odd how an individual is allowed to hijack a whole sport to promote his beliefs (irrespective of whether they are good causes or not) and force other sportsmen to openly concur with him. It's wrong IMO

@mustlovegin

I think it’s clear that the main instigator of ‘we race as one’ is LH

It seems to be the case. But it's odd how an individual is allowed to hijack a whole sport to promote his beliefs (irrespective of whether they are good causes or not) and force other sportsmen to openly concur with him. It's wrong IMO

But I don’t think anti racism is ‘a good cause’. It’s human rights. Lewis can’t force people to agree with him. Not every driver chose to kneel that year and Lewis didn’t (and couldn’t) have made them. But conflating equality between races and personal beliefs is a bit disingenuous. It’s not like making the whole paddock go vegan or forcing everyone to say the Lord’s Prayer before the race.

Sorry - I meant a theoretical you, as in, one that would actively choose not to support the campaign, not you specifically, but I don't think I worded it well and I apologise.

In practice, there isn't much to stop someone from being a hypocrite, but surely being vocal about your mission is part of creating an environment and culture in which that mission is more likely to succeed.

I'm not sure to what degree the organisation of motorsports is similar to the hierarchy of the catholic church, but I would be surprised if they were analogous beyond counting hypocrites among their fans.

And given that motor racing has some of the richest 'stars', weasel

Sorry - please ignore the last line which was a thought ended by having to google weasel pictures.

I totally agree.

I'd much prefer LH to actually DO something. Maybe go to underprivileged areas, like his hometown and set up a karting school. Give examples of racism and call them out. As far as I'm concerned, F1 crosses a lot of racial boundaries as it is an eclectic mix of places and individuals.

Drivers like Alonso who has a karting school are actually doing stuff, not whingeing and whining.

I have so much respect and admiration for LH's driving but as a person, he comes across as a proper whinger, who is looking for a cause to latch on to as he knows he needs to give back but doesn't know how.

@CommanderBurnham

I totally agree.

I'd much prefer LH to actually DO something. Maybe go to underprivileged areas, like his hometown and set up a karting school. Give examples of racism and call them out. As far as I'm concerned, F1 crosses a lot of racial boundaries as it is an eclectic mix of places and individuals.

Drivers like Alonso who has a karting school are actually doing stuff, not whingeing and whining.

I have so much respect and admiration for LH's driving but as a person, he comes across as a proper whinger, who is looking for a cause to latch on to as he knows he needs to give back but doesn't know how.

Do you mean like setting something up like the Hamilton Commission to tackle grassroots diversity in motorsport or engineering. Or backing an Extreme E team to highlight the impact of climate change? Or constantly being outspoken on his social media to highlight issues facing both him and people around the world.

Lewis has done more to help worldwide than a lot of people and most current drivers. He's not latching onto a cause. He's faced racism and adversity all the way through karting up to 7 world championships. He's one person and can't solve everything but he is genuinely passionate about effecting positive change and leaving the world a better place.