Within all the changes the Formula 1 high commands are making to the race schedule and program –such as scrapping media day Thursdays and modifying practice sessions- It was announced that the movement created by Formula 1 in the middle of the hectic year that was 2020 called “We Race As One”, as it is the ceremony the drivers attended before racing to express concern and calling out problems they cared about, is now being scrapped off the Sunday Race schedule, after two consecutive seasons of racing under the motto and ‘rainbowed’ logo inside the category pinnacle of motorsport.

MotorLat was in a press conference with Sebastian Vettel and selected media and, as the German has been a protagonist of the movement at the core of the category, he was asked whether drivers were asked about the FIA on this decision and the Aston Martin driver spoke his mind on the topic.

"No, they just changed. I was a bit surprised, I think the issues that we're tackling are not going to be gone within two years. And therefore I was a bit surprised.”

"I hope that as drivers we find a way to get together and find a slot of still expressing topics that are important to us. Probably not all the drivers care. But I think there are some that really do care. And it will be great to get together,” the 4-time world-champion said.

"Probably it was getting a bit too strong and too individual for the business side of things."

Earlier in the week, Formula 1’s CEO, Stefano Domenicali stated: “The gesture was important for the ones that believed that was an important gesture because we need to respect everyone, but now is the time to move on and take some other action. The action is the focus on the diversity of our community, and this is the first step.”

With the launch of McLaren’s 2022 challenger this morning, the Briton Lando Norris spoke on the FIA’s decision about scrapping the particularity of the pre-race and anthem ceremony, and the 22-year-old supported the words expressed by his 34-year-old colleague.

"I'm sure they haven't done it for nothing but I support Sebastian - it's worth doing things," he said, as quoted by BBC Sport.

The McLaren driver, however, expressed clearly that the drivers will gather and find any other way of expressing themselves. "It will be something we definitely speak about beforehand to make sure we're prepared and we're making the most of whatever opportunities we have. What we do as a group, it doesn't have to be simply a pre-race ceremony.”

"There are other ways to stand up, to raise awareness for issues and different matters. We will speak about it with F1 and the drivers to make sure we make the most of our opportunities with F1," he concluded.

With the decision, F1 will continue to broadcast the We Race As One video campaign prior to each race, and its branding will remain in place trackside during the 2022 season.