It's Rights Out and Away we go
It’s Lights Out and Away we go? It’s Rights Out and Away we go?
With over a billion fans across the globe, Formula 1 has gained a reputation as one of the most popular categories of motorsports in the entire world. Each season, 10 teams consisting of 2 drivers each tour around various nations of the world to reach the ultimate goal of winning the glamorous honor of the “World Drivers Championship.” With a great amount of presence across the globe, Formula 1 has naturally been a significant marketing tool for advocating many different causes. Entering the 21st century, the importance of the preservation of human rights has been emphasized stronger than ever. Following this trend, Formula 1 executives have also released a statement on their supportive stance toward human rights. However, there seems to be clear hypocrisy in their grandiose statements, bringing much controversy to the world’s most renowned motorsport.
In recent years, Formula 1 has been accused of violating its commitment to human rights by hosting events in particular regions known for their lack of human rights protection. As of 2022, Formula 1 is hosting its races in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan, all notorious for their weak protection of human rights. Particularly in Saudi Arabia, deputy Middle East director of the Human Rights Watch, Michael Page, has accused Formula 1 of bolstering the Saudi government's efforts of whitewashing the country’s repressive image. It is already a well-established fact under the leadership of Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has faced one of its worst political repressions in recent history. The Saudi Arabian government has consistently invested large sums of money in hosting such large sporting events and musical concerts in order to overlook its image as a repressive government. Critics of Formula 1 are claiming Formula 1’s hosting of events in Saudi Arabia is only adding to the Saudi government’s goals of successful whitewashing.
Debates have also broken out about Formula 1’s events in Bahrain. Formula 1 has recently extended its contract with Bahrain to race until 2036. This extension has brought significant backlash from numerous social activist groups. Similar to the situation in Saudi Arabia, these activist groups claim Formula 1 is supporting the oppressive nature of the Bahrain government. The Kingdom of Bahrain has firmly responded by claiming Bahrain rather has one of the most robust human rights protections with their newly pursued human rights reform movements, attempting to dismiss the argument of various social activist groups.
In response to such controversy, 7-time World Champion, Lewis Hamilton, has spoken out to highlight the necessity of advocating for such matters. As the sport of Formula 1 lives on, an increasing number of voices have been appealing to Formula 1 executives and the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) to, at the least, address the human rights issues in those countries that seem to be at severe risk. It is true Formula 1 is a form of a for-profit business, and businesses certainly want to maximize their profits. Advocating against certain countries will likely bring financial deficits to their organization. However, if Formula 1 truly wants its involvement in politics, and if it truly does support its mission statement and its slogan of #WeRaceAsOne, it must find a truly just way to resolve such controversy.