Lewis Hamilton Opposes Saudi Arabian GP: "F1 Will Continue on Without Me"
With the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix racing weekend approaching, many drivers have put their trust in the FIA, F1, and track management to keep them and viewers of the sport safe. This is a heavy subject after last year's missile attack on Aramco oil facility nearby. But Lewis Hamilton doesn't share this sentiment, admitting that he isn't happy with the race.
New Safety Measures to Keep Competitors and Spectators Safe
The safety of competitors and spectators has been a top priority, with stakeholders introducing additional safety measures. Despite the ongoing Yemen conflict, of which Saudi Arabia is part of a coalition, they've assured everyone that they're doing everything possible to keep everyone safe despite the Yemen conflict.
Pre-Race Press Conferences Highlight the Importance of Safety
Safety has been the talk of the town in the pre-event press conferences and driver media sessions in Jeddah on Thursday. Top drivers, including McLaren's Lando Norris and Williams' Alex Albon, have expressed their confidence in the safety measures. Norris expressed that he is "happy we're racing here," while Albon added that "there's been a lot of work this year put into trying to make it feel safer for everyone."
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz also added that he was confident that the organizers were not lying and were putting together a safe event: “I think they’ve given enough reassurance and enough explanations to say that we’re in safe place right now and as far as my understanding goes, I need to guide myself by that, time will tell.
“But I’m confident that they obviously are not lying to us and they are putting together a safe event.”
Meanwhile, Alfa Romeo's Valtteri Bottas refused to comment on the safety topic, only mentioning that the “track is cool”. Yuki Tsunoda mirrored this statement.
Lewis Hamilton Stands Against Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton drew considerable interest with his response to the safety measures.
“Not much really to add. All the opposite to everything they said," he said confidently before he was asked to elaborate further:
“Well, I didn’t elaborate on it, so it’s open to interpretation," he answered. “I’m looking forward to getting in the [W14] car, for sure.
"That part of my job I’m excited about.”
Hamilton has often stated that he isn't happy with the political stance of the country, and he was asked whether this was a factor this year, or if it was simply the safety concerns.
“It’s neither – don’t want to get into either.
“So, hopefully everyone has a safe weekend and hopefully everyone gets home safe afterwards. That’s as much as we can do, right?”
Has he ever thought of boycotting the race?
“Formula 1 will continue on without me," he said. “So, what I try to do is just try to learn as much as I can when I’m going to these different places.
“I still feel that, as a sport going to places with human rights issues such as this one, the sport is duty bound to raise awareness and try to leave a positive impact.
“And I feel like it needs to do more. What that is, I don’t have all the answers. But I think we always need to do more to raise awareness for things that people are struggling with.”