British F1 driver Hamilton not 'comfortable' in Saudi Arabia
Lewis Hamilton cited the kingdom's human rights record and 'pretty terrifying' LGBTQ laws before it hosts its first Grand Prix race.
Days before Formula One will host its first race in Saudi Arabia, star driver Lewis Hamilton criticized the kingdom’s human rights record and said he didn’t feel comfortable racing in the Gulf country.
Saudi Arabia is hosting the Grand Prix at a brand-new track built in its second-largest city of Jeddah on Dec. 5. Advocacy groups have accused the kingdom of “sportswashing” to distract from rights abuses.
“Do I feel comfortable here? I wouldn’t say I do,” Hamilton said. “But it’s not my choice to be here. The sport has taken the choice to be here."
During last month’s Grand Prix race in Qatar, the British Mercedes driver wore a rainbow-flagged helmet that read “Love is Love” to protest Qatar’s ban on homosexuality. Hamilton said he plans to wear the helmet again in Saudi Arabia, which also criminalizes gay sex.
