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(Motorsport-Total.com) – At least since Lewis Hamilton accused Formula 1 of greed for money (“Money is king”) in the 2020 Australian Grand Prix subsequently canceled on the grand stage of the conference of FIA press, we know that the seven-time world champion as one of the few stars in the sport has the courage to speak out on uncomfortable topics. That happened again in the run-up to the 2021 season opener in Bahrain (AD: Get the full Formula 1 and best sport live with Sky Q or flexibly stream with Sky Ticket. Without a receiver).
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Sir Lewis Hamilton is also committed to human rights in Bahrain
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In 2020, when Formula 1 held a racing weekend in Bahrain for the last time, Hamilton had received letters from three torture victims. When asked about it at a press conference at the time, he sidestepped the issue by claiming that he had very little information about it. At first, many saw this as a diversionary maneuver.
But journalists are not forgetting it, so on the Thursday before the opening of the 2021 season (practice, qualifying and race live on the ticker!), Hamilton was asked again if he had time to broach the subject. Instead of reacting again with an evasive response, which probably would have been the easiest way, this time he found clear words.
The letters annoyed him a lot, says the 36-year-old (“The first time I receive letters of this type”), so he has not remained inactive: “In recent months I have tried to deal with the issue. Because in all the years that we have here, I have not had knowledge of all the details about possible human rights violations ”.
“So I have spent time talking to human rights lawyers, I have spoken to human rights organizations like Amnesty, I have met with the British ambassador here in Bahrain and also with representatives of Bahrain itself.”
Hamilton: conversations must remain confidential
“For now, these steps have been taken on a private level and I think it is the right way forward and therefore I would not like to say too much that could jeopardize progress on this issue. But yes, that is the position. we’re in right now, and I’m definitely determined to help where I can, “says Hamilton.
This was preceded by a letter from the Bahrain Institute for Law and Democracy (BIRD) to Formula 1 Executive Director Stefano Domenicali, FIA President Jean Todt, and the ten Formula 1 teams (as well as 61 British MPs and 24 human rights organizations) last March. 24), in which Formula 1 is asked to launch an investigation into human rights violations in Bahrain.
Formula 1 takes these issues very seriously, writes Domenicali in his response to BIRD director Ahmed Alwadaei, which is available on ‘Motorsport-Total.com’, but “we believe that this is not the right way to exclude countries from the sport and that it is much better to get in touch than to isolate someone ”.
Domenicali notes that Formula 1 has made clear to all its partners (including the governments it drives) that human rights violations are “taken very seriously” without, however, specifying what that really means. “Our human rights policy is very clear,” says the Italian.
However, he rejects BIRD’s request for an investigation by Formula 1: “Formula 1 is not a cross-border investigation organization. We are sports rights holders. […]. Unlike governments and other organizations, we cannot take the actions you requested, so it does not seem appropriate to me to pretend that we can. “
An answer that Alwadaei does not leave without comment: “We simply do not accept that a millionaire business like Formula 1 does not have the resources and the capacity to carry out an investigation of this type. Formula 1 should take its position on this. Rethink the issue urgently. “
While Formula 1 has simply rejected the cause of human rights defenders in Bahrain, Alwadaei expressly praises Hamilton’s commitment: “It is encouraging that Lewis Hamilton is committed to fighting for human rights regardless. Unlike Formula 1, Sir Lewis shows that sport can be a powerful engine for change if you only take a clear position. “
A fine line for the Formula 1 world champion
It is understandable that Hamilton does not want to pursue a course of direct confrontation with Domenicali. Finding the right words, on the one hand, to snub the rights holders Liberty Media and the royal family in Bahrain and thus jeopardize diplomatic progress, on the other hand, showing a clear advantage is not easy for him, but he does it. fairly good.
“It is not in my power to decide where we do our races and where we do not. But […] we have a responsibility and I do not believe that human rights should be a political issue. We all deserve the same rights. Is it now the job of Formula 1 to deal with that? It is not for me to judge that. “
“I think we get to so many places with this sport, we visit so many wonderful countries and cultures and of course there are problems all over the world,” he says, and takes a clear position when he says: “I don’t think we should go to these countries. And ignore what’s happening there, have a good time there, and then just leave. “
Regardless of the human rights issue in Bahrain, Hamilton has also announced that he will continue to kneel on the grid against racism ahead of Sunday’s races. The Mercedes driver started this initiative in 2020 and convinced many of his fellow drivers to join him.
“The reason for this is very simple,” he explains. “When children see us kneeling, they will ask their parents or teachers why Formula 1 drivers are doing this. And that triggers awkward conversations, because that means that parents have to find out more about the subject and that children learn in this way too “.
Hamilton, recently knighted for his social commitment and thus officially Sir Lewis Hamilton on his British soil, does not intend to compromise on these kinds of issues: “This is a fight that is far from being won, but the one that is going to be won. to last a long, long time. ” long time. I’m sure of that, “he says.
