Formula 1 Saudi Arabia GP
Hamilton not 'comfortable' in Saudi Arabia amid human rights issues
Lewis Hamilton has admitted that he doesn't feel overly "comfortable" about racing in Saudi Arabia due to the country's human rights record, ahead of its inaugural Formula 1 grand prix.
James Newbold
Edited: Dec 3, 2021, 7:01 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The event has faced criticism from the Human Rights Watch organisation, which has called on Formula 1 to express its concerns over what it calls "a deliberate strategy to deflect from the country's image as a pervasive human rights violator".
The report issued by HRW, which follows a letter requesting a meeting with F1 senior leadership and FIA president Jean Todt, says F1's presence in the country risks "bolstering the Saudi government's well-funded efforts to whitewash its image despite a significant increase in repression over the last few years."
Seven-time world champion Hamilton has been a vocal advocate of human rights and introduced a prominent rainbow helmet livery at the Qatar Grand Prix last time out - in support of the LGBTQ+ community - which he plans to continue using in Jeddah and next week's final round in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking to media on Thursday ahead of the Saudi Grand Prix, Hamilton said that he believes F1 is "duty bound to help raise awareness for certain issues that see with human rights in these countries we are going to".
The Mercedes driver stressed that he had received "a warm welcome from people on the ground" but admitted he "wouldn't say" he felt comfortable racing in the country.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images
Asked whether Saudi's place on the calendar opposed the 'We Race As One' message that F1 has promoted over the past two seasons, Hamilton said: "I can't pretend to be the most knowledgeable and have the deepest of understanding of someone that has grown up in the community here that is heavily affected by certain rules and the regime.
"Do I feel comfortable here? I wouldn't say I do, but it's not my choice to be here.
"The sport has taken the choice to be here and whether it's right or wrong, I think whilst we are here, again, I feel it is important to raise awareness.
"For example at the last race [in Qatar] you saw the helmet that I wore, I will wear that again here and in the next race because that is an issue.
"There is changes that needs to be made."
Hamilton cited that although Saudi law was changed in 2018 to allow women to legally drive, "some of the women are still in prison from driving many, many years ago".
He added: "There is a lot of change that needs to happen and our sport needs to do more."
Read Also:
- Hamilton has "moved into overdrive" in F1 title battle - Brundle
- Hamilton: I want to be the "purest" of F1 drivers
- Hamilton to use rainbow helmet livery in remaining F1 races
Prince Khalid bin Sultan al-Faisal, the race promoter, said he welcomed Hamilton expressing his views and that he respected his opinion.
"It's good to see people stand for what they believe," he said. "But at the same time, we have our culture, our traditions.
"We understand and for someone with his background and with his culture, I totally understand why he does it. I think he should do what he do, whatever he supports, and think that he believes is suitable for him, we respect his opinion."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Alonso, Vettel will miss "outstanding" Raikkonen when he exits F1
Next article Gasly: AlphaTauri now understands "worst performance" of F1 2021
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
James Newbold
Did Audi ‘give up’ on GT3 too soon?
GT
Did Audi ‘give up’ on GT3 too soon?
Alex Zanardi’s top 10 moments
IndyCar
Alex Zanardi’s top 10 moments
More from
Lewis Hamilton
Nico Rosberg compares Ferrari’s clashes to his own Mercedes F1 rivalry: “The instructions are not clear enough”
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
1 h
Nico Rosberg compares Ferrari’s clashes to his own Mercedes F1 rivalry: “The instructions are not clear enough”
Ferrari set for crunch meeting as Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc tension reaches Brazil
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
3 h
Ferrari set for crunch meeting as Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc tension reaches Brazil
Latest news
"FIA Rating pushes drivers like me into retirement" - Sebastien Bourdais
WEC
WEC WEC
Bahrain
1 h
"FIA Rating pushes drivers like me into retirement" - Sebastien Bourdais
Nico Rosberg compares Ferrari’s clashes to his own Mercedes F1 rivalry: “The instructions are not clear enough”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
1 h
Nico Rosberg compares Ferrari’s clashes to his own Mercedes F1 rivalry: “The instructions are not clear enough”
Carlos Sainz recalls Charles Leclerc battles: “We always managed to find a solution”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
2 h
Carlos Sainz recalls Charles Leclerc battles: “We always managed to find a solution”
New WRC constructor offers update on 2027 car development
WRC
WRC WRC
Rally Saudi Arabia
2 h
New WRC constructor offers update on 2027 car development
Feature
Discover prime content
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Formula 1
By Pat Symonds
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1960s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1960s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe