Forward of this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, Components One has been accused of ignoring human rights abuses within the nation and having a “clear double customary” about the place it decides it ought to and shouldn’t host races.

The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (Chicken) mentioned F1 has “deserted those that have been tortured and imprisoned” within the nation partly because of criticism of the race, which kicks off the F1 season on March 20.

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Bahrain’s race lately signed an enormous 15-year extension to proceed internet hosting till 2036, which has prompted numerous human rights teams to put in writing a letter to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, the Grand Prix Drivers Affiliation (GPDA), the game’s ten groups, and its governing physique, the FIA.

Within the letter, F1 is accused of a “failure to have interaction with civil society and acknowledge rights abuse in Bahrain,” and that it’s sportswashing “continued institutionalised repression” within the nation.

Among the many listing of requests made to F1, together with assessing the Bahrain Grand Prix contract, the letter asks F1 to publicly acknowledge the human rights “disaster” within the nation.

F1 launched an announcement in response, which mentioned: “For many years Components One has labored onerous be a constructive power all over the place it races, together with financial, social, and cultural advantages. Sports activities like Components One are uniquely positioned to cross borders and cultures to convey nations and communities collectively to share the eagerness and pleasure of unimaginable competitors and achievement.”

“We take our tasks on rights very severely and set excessive moral requirements for counterparties and people in our provide chain, that are enshrined in contracts, and we pay shut consideration to their adherence.”

The letter additionally mentioned F1 has proven “a transparent double customary being utilized with nations within the Center East,” after the choice to cancel the Russian Grand Prix following Russia’s army invasion of Ukraine final month, referencing Saudi Arabia’s involvement in a battle with Yemen.

On Monday, the Guardian reported prisoners in Bahrain had written to Lewis Hamilton praising the seven-time world champion for talking out beforehand on human rights abuse within the center east.

“Your real concern about these circumstances has modified the best way prisoners consider this sport,” the letter, seen by the Guardian, mentioned.

“To us, you might be our champ, not solely one of the best in driving but in addition a human being who cares concerning the struggling of others. To replicate our help to you, a brand new phenomenon unfold within the jail. Inmates started to put in writing or draw ‘Sir 44’ or ‘Lewis 44’ on their garments, which we’d put on in help whereas watching the race.”

Saudi Arabia hosts the second race of the season on March 27, per week after Bahrain’s occasion, and likewise has a 15-year cope with F1 to host races.