Hamilton: "Formula 1 needs create scrutiny on human rights issues"

Lewis Hamilton believes it is important for Formula One to critically examine countries with poor human rights records. He says the sport has so far been 'ignorant' and 'unconscious' when it comes to that issue.

Much criticism on Grands Prix in the Middle East

This weekend the first Formula One race takes place in Qatar, ahead of a ten-year deal starting in 2023. In two weeks time it is Saudi Arabia's turn to host a Grand Prix for the first time, also as part of a long-term agreement with the Middle East.

Formula One boss Stefano Domenicali defended the decision to host races in both countries, believing the sport can play an important role in creating cultural change. However, it came in for a lot of criticism from the sport, as the countries do not have the best human rights records.

Hamilton said Thursday in Qatar that although it is not up to the drivers where races are organised, it is important that they speak out about important issues such as human rights.

Hamilton wants to create more awareness

"I do think as these sports go to these places, they are duty bound to raise awareness for these issues," the Briton is quoted as saying by Motorsport.com. "These places need scrutiny, and it needs the media to speak about these things. Equal rights is a serious issue."

He continued: "However, I'm aware that in this place they are trying to make steps and it can't change overnight, but I think we need to be raising the profile of the situation if we are coming to these places."

"I just know that as a sport we’ve been to, and I have been to a lot of these countries and have been ignorant, been unconscious to some of the problems in some of the places," Hamilton concluded.