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Lewis Hamilton says his stance on racing in Saudi Arabia is “still the same” as last year, due to the country’s poor human rights track record.
At the Friday drivers’ press conference Lewis Hamilton was asked about his views on Formula 1 racing in Saudi Arabia, in light of the country’s poor human rights track record.
“I don’t really know what to say,” the Briton said.
“My position is still the same as when I spoke here last year. There’s not really a lot that I can say that’s going to make much of a difference.
“It’s obviously mind-blowing to hear the stories… I’ve heard that there’s a letter sent to me from a 14-year-old that’s on death row… When you are 14 you don’t know what the hell you are doing in life, so it’s…
“But we don’t decide where we go. I think we are duty-bound to try while we are here [to raise awareness], it’s not necessarily our responsibility when we are brought here, but we try and do what we can.
“I think it’s important that we just try to educate ourselves and with the little bit of difference that we can make, make sure that we are doing something.
“But ultimately, it’s the responsibility of those in power to make the changes. And we’re not really seeing enough, so we need to see more.”
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Hamilton went on to say that, although Formula 1 drivers are limited in what they can do, he is open to helping as much as he can.
“Just reflecting that it shouldn’t be our responsibility to do that. But it is obviously naturally a very, very complex situation.
“But I’m always open to having discussion, to learning more, to try and understand exactly why the things that are happening are happening, and why they are not changing.
“Because it’s 2022 and it’s easy to make changes. But I’m open to doing that, I don’t know who I’d have to speak to but I’d love that.
“I know [Boris [Johnson, UK Prime Minister] has been over here recently… I heard that human rights was raised during that, but what’s been said, what’s being done?
“I’ve not heard about that,” Lewis concluded.
