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Lewis Hamilton says he has taken time to “try and educate” himself about the human rights situation in Bahrain, but will keep his moves private.
Human rights activists have been sending messages to Lewis Hamilton urging him to get involved in solving human rights violations in countries that host Formula 1 races.
One such letter was sent after the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix by a son of a man facing the death penalty in the country. However, at the time Lewis was unable to meet with any officials as he contracted COVID-19. At the Thursday press conference Lewis was asked about the situation.
“It weighed quite heavily on me,” the Briton said about the letter.
“It was the first time I had received letters like that along my travels. So I’ve taken time in the last few months to try and educate myself because coming here all these years I wasn’t aware of all of the details, the human rights issues.
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“I’ve spent time speaking to legal human rights experts, spent time talking to human rights organisations like Amnesty, have seen the UK ambassador here in Bahrain and I’ve spoken to Bahrain officials also.
“I don’t want to say too much, that may jeopardise any progress… but I’m definitely committed to helping in any way I can.”
While Hamilton says he is not the one who decides where Formula 1 races are held, he will definitely speak out when he sees injustice.
“I don’t think we should be going to these countries and just ignoring what is happening in these places and arriving, having a great time and then leave,” concluded the seven-time champion.
