Spielberg, Jul 6 (IANS): Renault Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo lifted the lid as to why few racers opted against taking a knee in the first race of the revamped calendar at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.

Before the start of the race, the F1 drivers sent out a powerful message in their fight against racism as they took the knee and also wore black t-shirts which had the message - 'End Racism' and 'Black Lives Matter'.

However, six drivers, namely Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, Daniil Kvyat, Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi didn't kneel but stood together in solidarity with the movement.

"The chat (on Friday) with the drivers was essentially saying all of us are 100% on board with supporting it and ending racism. None of us are anti this, so we all support this," Ricciardo told reporters as per motorsport.com.

"I just think there was a little bit of difficulty with some drivers and their nationality, and what something like taking a knee would represent.

"Obviously the reasons why we would do it is purely to support Black Lives Matter. It is for nothing political or anything else.

"But there is a little bit of a fine line with some drivers and their nationalities and how it is perceived.

"We heard all of them, all their opinions, and we are not going to try to put anyone in jeopardy. We all understood that we will do what we feel comfortable with.

"But no one is going to be judged or criticised if they don't stand there in a certain way or take a knee," he added.

Earlier, six-time champion Lewis Hamilton had also said that nobody should be forced to kneel as according to him, racism is a much bigger issue.