‘We are all concerned’ – Williams Alex Albon says Formula 1’s ban on political statements like those made by Lewis Hamilton is ‘puzzling’ and drivers have a ‘responsibility’ to highlight issues

Williams’ Alex Albon has admitted drivers are “concerned” about the ban on political, religious and personal statements in Formula 1.

An update from the sport’s governing body, the FIA, said any statements that “breach neutrality” will have to be approved or drivers could face penalties.

It will be a blow to Lewis Hamilton, who regularly shows his support for minority communities, while recently retired Sebastian Vettel has often used his helmet design to support good causes.

It will now be difficult for the whole grid, which was not consulted before the update of the sporting code.

A number of drivers have already spoken out against the move, with British-born Thai driver Albon speaking about the move ahead of the new campaign.

“I haven’t spoken too much about the situation at the grid but we are all worried,” said the 26-year-old.

“I know that between the FIA ​​and Formula 1 we try to bring everything together in the same form of communication, but at the moment there is a bit of confusion.

“That’s one of the main things that I took away from it, the clarity of it, because it seems like a pretty big topic and as you know, politics and positions, it’s a topic very large.

“We need clarity on what they’re trying to tell us, from a personal perspective it’s a bit confusing, for you it might be the same.”

Following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, Hamilton and a number of other drivers took the knee in support, in line with many other sports, as the ‘We Race As One’ campaign was launched.

Albon fears that effort is now under threat, as he told the press ahead of the launch of Williams’ 2023 car.

“We are very supportive of We Race As One and now it looks like Formula 1 and the FIA ​​are trying to move away from that, so we have to see,” he said.

“Clearly we need to be open in dialogue about what they are trying to do, but we need to be able to speak freely and I’m sure we will get clarification later.

“With who we are and how we are perceived by the fans and the engagement we have with people who watch Formula 1, a lot of people come to see us and see us as sportsmen for issues around the world.

“I feel like it’s the riders’ responsibility to make people aware of these kinds of situations and it’s a beast and it’s hard to see what they’re trying to say.”