Lewis Hamilton Threatens FIA of Not Participating at Saudi Arabian GP as Fundamental Issue Remains Unresolved: “More Can Be Done”

Formula 1 advances to the second round. And as the tragic incident that occurred last year close to the Jeddah circuit comes to a full circle, all eyes are focused on the circuit. The missile firing on the Jeddah track on Friday’s free practice during the last Formula 1 season caught everyone’s attention. That prompted discussions on whether to proceed normally during the Saudi GP weekend. However, despite several of them first refusing to participate, drivers finally consented to run on the track after a long meeting. Nevertheless, given the present conflict between the FIA and Lewis Hamilton, the latest threat from the seven-time champion will undoubtedly scare fans.

We all know the prominence of the social crusader, Mr. Hamilton, and because of his stance on social issues, he has frequently been in the news. Hamilton has appeared concerned about the societal ills in Saudi Arabia as the F1’s latest forays have landed at the Jeddah track. We have seen Hamilton take a stand on human rights issues in the Middle Eastern country on several occasions. One such incident occurred in Qatar back in 2021 when the British athlete donned a rainbow helmet to promote the LGBTQ+ community.

Nonetheless, Hamilton, who is aware of the ongoing unresolved issues in Saudi Arabia and the middle eastern nations, has threatened to boycott the Saudi Grand Prix this time. At the official FIA press conference, the Briton said, “I think, if I’m not here [in Saudi Arabia], Formula 1 would continue without me. What I try to do is learn as much as I can, when I go to the different places, I see the development that is taking place, and here you have the problem of human rights, although sport tries to have an impact.”

The Mercedes driver, however, believes that additional efforts can be made to advance human rights. He added, ” I think that more can be done, but I don’t have the answers. We must try to do everything possible so that people don’t suffer.”

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Lewis Hamilton has been the voice of multiple social issues. However, after the FIA restricted the drivers from speaking their minds, people thought that the social crusader will remain silent. In the midst of all this, the 7x champ has come out to boycott the race in middle eastern countries where fundamental human rights are still not maintained.

Who encouraged Lewis Hamilton not to compete in the Middle Eastern countries?

Hamilton was advised to abstain from racing by Lord Scriven, vice-chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Democracy and Human Rights in the Gulf. In addition, Jeremy Corbyn, a former leader of the Labour Party, is one of the eight people who signed an open letter to the FIA and F1 executives. The human rights records of both Bahrain and Saudi Arabian nations have drawn criticism, and Hamilton has previously been outspoken in his calls for the sport to do more to address the issue.

Citing that Lord Scriven claimed, as quoted by Express, “Lewis and others would be correct to say that unless F1 and the FIA put in place a framework which is in line with the United Nations’ guiding principle on business and human rights, that he and other drivers would feel uncomfortable about racing. And unless that framework is put in place they would seek not to race.”

WATCH THIS STORY: F1 Drivers Threaten Saudi Arabian GP Boycott After Missile Attacks

In light of the aforementioned, do you think Hamilton alone will be able to affect a wider shift in these nations?