Max Verstappen, the current Formula 1 world champion, aroused controversy by publicly declaring that he would not participate in any activity related to pride, celebrated in June. At a press conference preceding a Grand Prix, the Dutch pilot said that he did not consider it necessary to commemorate what he called “Woke ideologies” and said that each individual had to be respected equally, without it being necessary to “impose labels”.

These declarations quickly became viral and aroused reactions as well so that against. On social networks, thousands of users have expressed their disappointment, arguing that the month of pride did not aim to impose ideologies, but rather to highlight and support a historically discriminated community. At the same time, some fans and public figures supported Verstappen, stressing his right to express his opinion and his refusal to submit to “social pressures”.

His team, Red Bull Racing, has not yet officially positioned, although the team has posted in the past its support for diversity and rights of the LGBTQ+community. This apparent contrast has aroused speculation about possible internal tensions, even if Verstappen said that his decision was personal and did not reflect the opinion of his team.

The pilot also added that he believed that sport should stay away from political or social issues and that he preferred to focus exclusively on track performance. “I’m here for the race. I respect everyone, but I don’t think we can use sport as a platform to promote social movements, “he said.

These remarks were welcomed with skepticism by activists and human rights organizations, which insist that Formula 1, as a global spectacle, has a social responsibility, including its media scope and its influence on young people around the world. According to them, remaining neutral in the face of injustice can also be a form of complicity.

It should be recalled that Formula 1 has promoted inclusion campaigns in recent years, such as the slogan “we are running together”, and has supported symbolic gestures such as the display of rainbow colors on cars and uniforms during the month of June. Verstappen’s position relaunches the debate on the extent to which athletes should or may not be involved in social causes.

For the moment, Verstappen has not made an additional declaration, but the controversy continues to intensify. With each race, attention should be focused not only on his pilot talent, but also on the evolution of this controversy in an increasingly polarized social climate.