This week Hamilton has spoken out against a host country more than any athlete in any sport that I can remember, and he's done it in a way that's fairly diplomatic.
He's been really clear that he thinks it's his job and the sports job to raise awareness for these issues while they are in the country and try to enact some change.
“As I said at the last race, I feel that the sport and we are duty bound to make sure that we try to help raise awareness for certain issues that we see, particularly human rights, in these countries that we’re going to,” said Hamilton.
“With the utmost respect for everyone that’s here, I’ve so far had a warm welcome from the people on the ground. I can’t pretend to be the most knowledgeable or have the the deepest understanding of someone that, particularly, has grown up in the community here that is heavily affected by certain rules and the regime.
“Do I feel comfortable here? I [wouldn’t] say I do. But it’s not my choice to be here. The sport has taken a choice to be here.
“Whether it’s right or wrong, I think whilst we are here, again, I feel like it’s important that we do try to raise awareness. So in the last race, for example, you saw the helmet that I wore. I will wear that again here and in the next race because that is an issue and is a law.
Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia and can be punished by flogging and imprisonment. “If anyone wants to take the time to go and read what the law is for the LGBTQ+ community, it’s pretty terrifying, There’s changes that need to be made.”
Hamilton also pointed out that relaxations in some restrictions on women’s rights, including the former ban on women being allowed to drive, had not led to those who violated past laws being pardoned.
“For example, women’s rights of being able to drive [since] 2018,” he said. “Some of the women are still in prison from driving many, many years ago.
“So there’s a lot of change that needs to happen, and I think our sport needs to do more.”
That people like yourself line up to criticise him for not doing enough, not sacrificing his championship, not ending his career over this while ignoring the 17 or 18 drivers doing nothing shows why he can't win.
