Lewis Hamilton urged to speak out over ‘abysmal’ human rights record as Saudi Arabia lands F1 GP

LEWIS HAMILTON is being urged to speak out over Saudi Arabia’s ‘abysmal’ human rights record.

Formula One has confirmed it will stage a first Grand Prix in the Middle East country next year.

Formula One has been criticised for agreeing a ten-year deal to race in Saudi Arabia

The races will be held of a street track in Jeddah until the mega new track at Qiddiya is built

The GP, the penultimate race of a record 23-round calendar, will be a night event on the streets of Jeddah as part of a ten-year, £500million deal.

But human rights organisation Amnesty International slammed the decision and wants Britain’s six-time world champ Hamilton, his fellow drivers and the teams to express ‘solidarity with jailed human rights defenders’.

F1 follows golf, tennis and boxing by hosting a major event in Saudi Arabia, while the all-electric Formula E series has already staged two races there.

But Amnesty’s head of campaigns, Felix Jakens, said: “It would be incredibly important if Lewis could speak out.

“The onus isn’t just on star drivers but the whole industry to be aware of what is happening in Saudi Arabia.

“If the sport’s most high-profile driver is willing to speak out and say, ‘Actually, this is a country that has an appalling human rights record’, that takes the sheen off Saudi Arabia’s ability to sportswash its image.

“F1 talks about diversification, inclusivity and appealing to LGBT people, so it needs to make a sustained effort on human rights.”

Hamilton has actively campaigned for the Black Lives Matter movement and is demanding more diversity within F1.

Lewis Hamilton has been urged to speak out against F1’s decision to stage races in Saudi Arabia

And an Amnesty International statement read: “Formula One should realise a Saudi Grand Prix in 2021 would be part of efforts to sportswash the country’s abysmal human rights record.”

Jakens added: “With critics of the government either jailed, exiled or hounded into silence, the Saudi authorities have pursued a twin approach of crushing human rights while throwing huge amounts of money at glittering sporting events.

“It isn’t just motor racing — it’s golf, boxing, tennis, horse racing and the attempt to buy Newcastle United Football Club.”

The Saudi state has come under severe criticism over the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.

But F1 defended its decision to hold a race in Saudi Arabia.

A spokesperson said: “For decades Formula One has worked hard to be a positive force everywhere it races, including economic, social and cultural benefits.

“Sports like Formula One are uniquely positioned to cross borders and cultures to bring countries and communities together, to share the passion and excitement of incredible competition.

“We take our responsibilities very seriously and have made our position on human rights and other issues clear to all our partners.”

In 2023, the Saudi GP is set to move to capital Riyadh, where a track is being built at the Qiddiya tourism project.

Next year’s bumper schedule is due to begin in Melbourne on March 21, ending in Abu Dhabi on December 5.