There will be a lot of debate about the ethics of this, but money talks I guess....
I just hope whatever the circuit looks like that it can provide entertaining races. I know it's a street circuit so my hopes are not high.
What exactly is the problem?
The FIA is guided by the Fundamental Principles of its Statutes, including the fight against any form of discrimination and notably on account of skin colour, gender, religion, ethnic or social origin. We must promote diversity in motor sport.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) people in Saudi Arabia face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal. LGBT rights are not recognized by the government of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi social mores and laws are heavily influenced by ultra-conservative Muslims. Homosexuality and being transgender are widely seen as immoral and indecent activities, and the law punishes acts of homosexuality or cross-dressing with punishments of fines, prison time up to life,[1] and capital punishment.[3]
Regardless which form of discrimination or rights violation happens, it's a problem. Saudi Arabia fares no worse than many other countries where F1 goes racing. Either F1 should stop visiting all those countries OR simply ignore what all the human rights watch dogs publishes.Holm86 wrote: ↑05 Nov 2020, 17:28The FIA is guided by the Fundamental Principles of its Statutes, including the fight against any form of discrimination and notably on account of skin colour, gender, religion, ethnic or social origin. We must promote diversity in motor sport.Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) people in Saudi Arabia face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal. LGBT rights are not recognized by the government of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi social mores and laws are heavily influenced by ultra-conservative Muslims. Homosexuality and being transgender are widely seen as immoral and indecent activities, and the law punishes acts of homosexuality or cross-dressing with punishments of fines, prison time up to life,[1] and capital punishment.[3]
Looking at the map, that would mean that we'll get a season like this year +Canada +Australia and -Turkey -Russia. Don't sound too badRegardless which form of discrimination or rights violation happens, it's a problem. Saudi Arabia fares no worse than many other countries where F1 goes racing. Either F1 should stop visiting all those countries OR simply ignore what all the human rights watch dogs publishes.
That or the Saudis offered them an absolute shedload of money.LHamilton wrote: ↑05 Nov 2020, 18:52You could see this on both ways. One is that F1 is ignoring the importance of human rights etc., which has already been discussed. But it can also be a statement of intent, that we go to a vunerable place to voice our (shared opinion on human rights) opinion about the subject at hand. Sometimes it's better to voice an opinion in a loud matter, rather than "simply" ignore the subject, to SOME extent, and not go to that country. I know you make a point by not going to a certain country to point out values. But I fear those voices tend to fade out. Perhaps this is F1s way of the 'BLM'-movement. An intention of actually making a difference.
Sure...LHamilton wrote: ↑05 Nov 2020, 18:52You could see this on both ways. One is that F1 is ignoring the importance of human rights etc., which has already been discussed. But it can also be a statement of intent, that we go to a vunerable place to voice our (shared opinion on human rights) opinion about the subject at hand. Sometimes it's better to voice an opinion in a loud matter, rather than "simply" ignore the subject, to SOME extent, and not go to that country. I know you make a point by not going to a certain country to point out values. But I fear those voices tend to fade out. Perhaps this is F1s way of the 'BLM'-movement. An intention of actually making a difference.