The Qatar Motorsport Association President Abdulrahman Al Mannai announced Formula 1 drivers don’t have to worry about free opinion at the Doha Grand Prix.
In connection with the plans for the World Championship run on the Losail International Circuit in the capital Doha, which was soon to be added to the racing calendar on November 21.
“Drivers are free to express their opinion on contentious issues. We are happy to support the drivers in expressing opinions on their platforms.” Al Mannai said.
“For us in Qatar this is not an issue because they are free to say what always want to say.” Al Mannai added.
The replacement race for the Australian Grand Prix, which was canceled due to the corona pandemic, exactly one year before the opening game of the even more controversial final of the 2022 World Cup (November 21 to December 18) was announced at the end of September with incomprehension and a storm triggered the criticism.
For years, Qatar has been pilloried internationally for disregarding human rights. Critics accuse the rulers of “sport washing” through extensive involvement in professional sport to polish up the battered image of Qatar.
Al Mannai’s announcement of permission for unfiltered statements in extreme cases also about Qatar seems at least at first glance as an involuntary invitation to opinionated F1 drivers like world champion Lewis Hamilton.
The British Mercedes driver is one of the initiators of the #WeRaceAsOne campaign for the premier class against racism as well as for diversity and human dignity.
Hamilton had made no secret of his attitude towards the rulers in the Gulf States at the Bahrain Grand Prix in the spring.
“I don’t think we should go to these countries and ignore what is happening there,” the seven-time world champion said.
