Will Max Verstappen also have a black and gold robe wrapped around his shoulders like Lionel Messi? In any case, less than ten months after the final of the World Cup, Qatar can once again present itself on an important sporting stage – and the icing on the cake comes for free: Formula 1 all-time winner Max Verstappen’s third world title, it will probably be on be forever connected to the extremely rich desert state.
It should be easy for Verstappen, who, with the exception of the Singapore race (fifth place), has always won or at least finished second this year. Three World Cup points are enough for the 26-year-old to take the crown on his own at the sixth-to-last stage of the season. The Red Bull star wants to achieve this “main goal” in the sprint race on Saturday (7:30 p.m. CEST/live ticker sportschau.de) – and then celebrate: “Hopefully it will be a memorable weekend!”
Human rights: Has anything changed in Qatar?
Besides, there aren’t many hot topics on the track, and the surrounding things don’t play as big a role in Formula 1 as they did a year ago in the run-up to the World Cup. Qatar is just one of 22 races for the premier motorsport class this year. Saudi Arabia, where the race took place in March, has an even worse reputation internationally.
And yet it is worth taking a look at the developments in Qatar since the 2022 World Cup. Even if the country is classified as rather progressive within the region by human rights organizations, little has happened since the emirate was no longer in the public eye.
Discrimination and Kafala system still exist
“Qatari laws continue to discriminate against women, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people”judged the organization Human Rights Watch in its 2023 report. The United Nations Human Rights Council is very up-to-date “very concerned about reports of discrimination against religious minorities”the Kafala system also exists “in practice” furthermore.
If you want to look at it positively: Formula 1 will ensure that the world regularly looks to Qatar every year until at least 2032. The high-paying contract with the premier class, which is known for its reticence when it comes to social issues, runs until then.
F1 boss Domenicali wants to be a “positive force” with a critical eye
According to managing director Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1 could also terminate contracts with track operators, “when we see something that is not going in the right direction”. However, the series sees itself primarily in the position “to be a positive force” and “To overcome borders and cultures and bring countries and communities together”.
George Russell also shares this attitude. “I believe we are here for the right reasons. It is important that there is change and that will come with time”said the Mercedes driver on Thursday. Formula 1 could “have a very positive influence”. In Qatar, such sentences will be subject to scrutiny for a very long time. At least until 2032, when Formula 1 comes along.