The brand new F1 season begins in Bahrain this weekend earlier than a second race follows in Jeddah every week later; Saudi Arabia introduced final week that it had executed 81 males within the kingdom’s largest mass execution in many years. Lewis Hamilton stated final yr that he didn’t “really feel snug” racing there
Final replace: 03/22/16 5:43 PM
Please use Chrome browser for an accessible video participant
Components 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has defended the game’s choice to race in Saudi Arabia.
Components 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has defended the game’s choice to race in Saudi Arabia.
Stefano Domenicali, chief government of Components 1, says the game’s choice to race in Saudi Arabia may assist make clear the nation’s human rights document.
The brand new F1 season kicks off in Bahrain this weekend earlier than a second race follows in Jeddah every week later, returning for its second Saudi Grand Prix after the nation hosted the game for the primary time final yr.
Saudi Arabia introduced final week that it had executed 81 males, together with seven Yemenis and a Syrian, for terrorism and different crimes together with holding “deviant beliefs” within the kingdom’s largest mass execution in many years.
Amid criticism of the game’s choice to proceed racing there, Domenicali stated it may have a optimistic influence.
Final yr, Saudi Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton wore a Progress Pleasure-flagged sports activities helmet to assist the LGBTQ+ neighborhood
“Once we hear this type of information, it is very worrying,” Domenicali stated in an unique interview with Sky Sports activities.
“However I’m a real believer in the truth that sport should be sure that human rights are on the heart of our agenda, together with the nation we’re heading to.
Please use Chrome browser for an accessible video participant
Domenicali will get excited by the number of designs the groups have chosen for his or her 2023 automobiles
“I believe in the event you take a step again, from what we noticed final yr, we noticed quite a lot of ladies, quite a lot of younger individuals attending the race and having fun with for the primary time that they by no means had an opportunity to see it firsthand, the appropriate course to take.
“The truth that we might be there, provides an depth of sunshine on a subject that may, with out us, have a distinct place within the information.”
Please use Chrome browser for an accessible video participant
Hamilton spoke forcefully about his assist for equality and the LGBTQ+ neighborhood forward of F1’s first race in Saudi Arabia.
The talk over racing in Saudi Arabia comes after F1 chiefs canceled this yr’s Russian Grand Prix following the nation’s invasion of Ukraine, with motion taken after a number of drivers spoke forcefully.
Lewis Hamilton stated in preparation for final yr’s Saudi Grand Prix, which occurred in December, he didn’t “really feel snug” racing there and urged F1 to “put strain” to push for the change.
Similar-sex relationships are unlawful in Saudi Arabia – as in Qatar – and Hamilton wore a helmet at each races final yr and wore the Progress Banner in satisfaction in assist of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood.
