Charles Leclerc has opened up on his decision not to take the knee as Formula One continues to back the Black Lives Matters movement.
World Champion Lewis Hamilton has led the fight against racism and has called for more diversity in the sport.
But while a host of drivers have taken the knee before races this season the Ferrari star has opted not to citing the violence attached to some of the protests.
The Monégasque star has been joined by Max Verstappen, Kevin Magnussen, Kimi Raikkonen, Carlos Sainz, Daniil Kvyat and Antonio Giovinazzi in standing.
But Leclerc maintains that his personal decision by no ways means he does not believe in equality.
"I am against racism," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport . "I fight against it and I am glad that Formula 1 is using its platform to show the world the right position.
"But I don't want to kneel down, because many of the protests that take place around the world are often violent. And I do not accept violence in any form.
"I also don't like that politicians are starting to use these protests for their own purposes."
Hamilton has said he will look to have discussions with the seven drivers who have chosen not to take a knee as he seeks solidarity.
But Leclerc has hit out at those who have criticised his decision which Formula One has insisted is a personal choice for each individual.
"Formula 1 left us the choice to express ourselves in the way we wanted," added the Ferrari driver.
"We all went [to the front of the grid at the Austrian Grand Prix] and it was clearly written on our shirt to end racism, which is the main message we want to pass through.
"Anybody is free to express it the way we want and that's what I did, I wanted to stand. I bowed my head to respect this, and yes I'm completely against racism.
"I've seen a few things on social media, honestly, that disgust me, to judge someone racist just because he didn't take the knee for me is not right and it's definitely not me. But I wanted to do it that way."
