Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez have defended protesters who invaded the track at the British Grand Prix.
Seven individuals were taken into custody by the Northamptonshire Police after they ran on the track during the first lap Sunday's race at Silverstone.
Protestors stormed the track on the first lap
And they were later defended by the likes of Hamilton
Cars were already slowing after a horror crash at turn one saw Zhou Guanyu and Alex Albon taken to the medical centre, and fortunately crisis was averted along the Wellington straight.
The group were wearing orange t-shirts protesting against global oil usage, and their cause has since been defended by all three podium finishers.
Hamilton, who came third at Silverstone, only learned about what had happened during his post-race press conference and responded in support.
"I didn't know what the protest was for, I only just found out," Hamilton said. "I love that people are fighting for the planet and we need more people like them."
Second-placed Sergio Perez continued: "It's good to see people fighting for the cause.
"Certainly Formula 1 needs to do more, needs to keep pushing and keep improving and going in that direction.
Perez, who came second in the race, also defended their protesters
"And it's great to see people fighting for their cause but obviously it's [better] that they don't put themselves at risk and they don't put other people at risk.
"But I'm sure that Formula 1 can still do more and we have to keep pushing together to show a good example."
Race winner Carlos Sainz said he supported Formula 1's work to tackle the environmental crisis, but thought the track invaders could have dealt with things in a different way.
"I thought the red flag was for that because as soon as I came out of five I saw three guys running towards me," he said.
Sainz commented on the protesters after sealing his first ever F1 win
"People obviously need to speak out and do manifestations wherever they want because it's a right. I just don't believe jumping into a Formula 1 track is the best way to do it and putting yourself at risk and all the other drivers.
"Yes I support the cause, I think Formula 1 is doing a great job already to try and go carbon zero by 2030. And we are pushing on this area and we are pushing F1 and pushing FIA to find ways to go in this direction.
"I just don't believe jumping into a Formula 1 track is the right way to manifest yourself and protest, you have to be more careful because you can kill them, you can generate an accident."
Meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas did see what had happened on the first lap, and was far more shocked.
"It was very weird," he said. "I don't think I've ever seen people walk on track before so it was pretty dangerous, someone can lose it there on the exit of that corner."
British star Lando Norris agreed, saying: "It's worrying if you've really got to be that silly to go on to a race track with Formula 1 cars.
"It's a scary thing because at the same time, you're putting us at risk to be involved in something we would never ever want to be involved in, so it's scary, it should never happen."
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