Lewis Hamilton and other F1 drivers are set to continue taking the knee during 2021

Lewis Hamilton and his fellow drivers look set to be allowed to take the knee again this season after Formula One revealed it will continue to include a moment of reflection ahead of races.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton and the majority of the grid knelt in a staged message highlighting the fight against racism before all of last year’s grands prix.

However, the gesture proved divisive with a number of the 20 drivers, including Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, electing to stand. All of the drivers wore anti-racism T-shirts.

Lewis Hamilton promoted the Black Lives Matter movement throughout the 2020 campaign

Although some drivers elected not to take the knee, all of them wore anti-racism t-shirts

The subject is set to be discussed in the coming weeks ahead of the opening round in Bahrain on March 28.

In a statement, Formula One said: ‘[Last year] we used our restart to show that we as a sporting community stand united against racism and are doing more to address inequality and diversity.

‘This was highlighted at every race with the 20 drivers uniting in their support of ending racism before the start of the race.

Formula One have revamped their We Race As One initiative ahead of the new season

‘We plan to include a moment before the start of each race this season to show our united support for important issues and will be discussing this with the drivers and the teams ahead of the start of the season.’

F1 also said they will be introducing internships and apprenticeships for under-represented groups.

Hamilton, who earlier this week agreed a one-year extension to his Mercedes contract, has been critical of the lack of diversity within the sport. The 36-year-old Briton remains F1’s sole black driver.