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Lewis Hamilton says Formula 1 needs to do more to push human rights issues in the sport’s host countries.
After Saudi Arabia has been added to Formula 1’s 2021 calendar, many human rights groups like Amnesty International stood up and called for Formula 1 and Lewis Hamilton in particular to speak out about the country’s human rights record.
The Bahrain race also draws criticism every year, with it even getting cancelled due to civil unrest in 2011.
“Naturally, the human rights issue in so many of the places that we go to is a consistent and a massive problem,” Hamilton said at the Bahrain Grand Prix Thursday press conference.
“We are probably one of the only ones that goes to so many different countries and I do think as a sport we need to do more.”
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Hamilton said he had received letters forwarded by the director of the London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) that express concern about racing in the country.
“I’ve not had a lot of time to digest them so that’s something I definitely need to take some time to do over the coming days,” the Briton explained.
Ultimately, Hamilton supports Formula 1 laying down rules and conditions for host countries.
“It’s important to make sure they’re implemented in the right way. It’s not just saying that we’re going to do something and actually see some action taken.”
