Chargement ...

F1 bosses defend controversial Saudi Arabia race

"Sports should unite people and help change the world"

Chargement ...

Top F1 team bosses have defended the decision to add a new race in Saudi Arabia to the sport’s unprecedented 23-round schedule for 2021.

After news of the as-yet unpublished provisional calendar leaked, Amnesty International slammed Formula 1 for apparently allowing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to "sports-wash" its human rights record with a top global event.

When asked about that, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said at Imola: "Sports should unite people and help change the world for the better.

"A year ago, I went to Riyadh for the Formula E race and I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. I can only judge with my own eyes but I saw a wonderful weekend without any sign of inequality - it was women and men enjoying the sporting spectacle together.

"You always need to start somewhere and I think Formula E was the first step and now we need to continue to try to help change the world gradually for the better," he added.

Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto agrees: "Holding sports competitions is always positive.

"Sport always carries a positive message, which is the way I think we should look at this."

Chargement ...

«Marko insists he has ’nothing against Gasly’

’Delicate’ driver salary cap not decided yet»

Calendrier - circuits F1


>Turkey expects to reach new F1 race deal ’quickly’

>Circuit boss plays down ’epic’ F1-MotoGP idea

>Trump shelves plans to attend Miami GP

>Axed French GP group facing ’embezzlement’ probe

>Hockenheim inches closer to F1 race return

More on Calendrier - circuits F1

Formula 1 news


>F1 in penalty re-think after Magnussen’s horror Miami

>Aston Martin to ’evaluate’ Newey job offer - boss

>McLaren needs another big upgrade to catch Red Bull

>’Peace’ returning to Red Bull ’step by step’ - CEO

>Alonso met twice with FIA president in Miami

More Formula 1news