Calls to Boycott Formula 1 in Saudi Arabia

Among calls to Boycott Formula 1 in Saudi Arabia, according to Motorsport, Formula 1 drivers are anxious about participating in the race held in Saudi Arabia.

These fears may be a result of human rights violations in Saudi Arabia.

The drivers described this tournament as an act of sportswashing to improve the bad reputation of Saudi Arabia.

Calls on Lewis Hamilton to Boycott the Race

Many human rights organizations called on Formula One champion, Lewis Hamilton, to boycott the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, 2021.

They said, in a letter to Hamilton, that the human rights violations in Saudi Arabia exceeded all expectations.

The organizations urged him to reconsider his participation in the race. Moreover, they asked him to speak out against human rights violations in Saudi Arabia.

The letter referred to Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen, the detention of women’s rights activists, and the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi.

It included, “Saudi Arabia will host Formula One Grand Prix for the first time in 2021. We believe it is a key place to make a statement on human rights.”

Among the signatories are Code Pink, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain, Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation, Freedom Forward, and the International Service for Human Rights.

Furthermore, Hamilton holds a joint record for World Drivers’ Championship titles. He is known for his political frankness.

Also, he supported “Black Lives Matter” after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Hamilton wore a helmet with a raised fist printed on it.

In fact, Floyd is the world’s champion and the only black driver in Formula 1 history.

Hamilton received letters from victims of repression in Bahrain. Thus, he denounced human rights violations in Bahrain ahead of the Grand Prix.

As the letter states, “As a worldwide sport, Formula 1 needs to do more to improve human rights globally.”

Bahrain to Host Pre-Season Testing 2021

Furthermore, Bahrain will host Formula 1 Pre-Season Testing 2021, on March 12-14, at Bahrain International Circuit.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said, testing originally take place in Barcelona, in early March.

It mentioned that testing moved to Bahrain after putting back The Australian Grand Prix to Novermber 2021.

According to FIA, this is all due to the repercussions of COVID-19 pandemic.

The record 23-race F1 season in Bahrain starts on March 28.

However, FIA has not yet set a date for the postponed Chinese Grand Prix. It usually happens in April.

They reduced winter testing to three days instead of six.

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