Jeddah (dpa) – Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali defended the holding of the controversial Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia even after a rocket hit near the track.
“We will never be an organization that cannot guarantee the safety of its people,” said the managing director of the racing series to British TV broadcaster Sky before the second round of the season. Although Formula 1 is “not blind”, it still stands by the heavily criticized host. “This country is making huge strides,” stressed Domenicali.
Saudi Arabia is accused of serious human rights abuses. Recently, 81 people were executed in one day in the conservative Islamic kingdom. Oppositionists are persecuted and suppressed. For years, Saudi Arabia has been waging a war in Yemen that has unleashed one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes to date. This was also the background to the attack by Yemeni Houthi rebels on an oil facility owned by Formula 1 main sponsor Aramco near the race track in Jeddah on Friday.
“You can’t pretend that you can change a millennia-old culture overnight,” said the Formula 1 managing director. Many laws in Saudi Arabia would be changed to modernize the country, Domenicali added. He pointed out that the driving ban for women had been lifted a few years ago and that they are now allowed to come to the Grand Prix as spectators.
Formula 1 “plays a very important role in opening up the country,” said Domenicali. “We firmly believe that what we do has a great positive influence,” said the Italian. The racing series is not just about making money. According to reports, Formula 1 is to collect up to 900 million dollars for the ten-year contract for the race in Saudi Arabia.