The fact that none of the Formula 1 stars has ever turned their laps on the course ensures even more tension in the long-poisoned duel between Red Bull driver Verstappen and defending champion Lewis Hamilton in the third last race of the season. It is the 20th of 22 races of the season, and Verstappen is leading 14 points ahead of Hamilton before the third to last stage.
The anticipation for the next exchange of blows is clouded. Qatar, the small country on a peninsula on the Persian Gulf, has for years been heavily criticized internationally for its disregard for human rights and the exploitation of migrant workers.
Hamilton said: “It’s hard to talk about. As drivers, we don’t have a choice where to drive. You are moving forward here, but it is not going to improve overnight. There is still a long way to go. “
“Groundbreaking long-term deal”
Those in power have long been accused of trying to improve the battered image through extensive involvement in professional sport. Formula 1 is just right there, the Grand Prix will take place on November 21, exactly one year to the day before the opening game of the World Cup. This year the organizers are stepping in due to the tense coronavirus situation for Australia, a ten-year contract from 2023 has already been fixed.
A “groundbreaking long-term deal” is what Abdulrahman al-Mannai, President of Qatar’s Motorsport Association, calls it. If you make your way north from the airport through Doha to the Losail International Circuit, you will pass several World Cup stadiums. Huge posters are used to advertise on the city motorway. Under 2-G conditions, there should be full grandstands north of Doha.
No muzzle for the driver
The motorcycle and superbike world championships have been in Losail since 2004. Now the most important series in motorsport follows in the rich emirate. Qatar and Formula 1 – from his point of view, they belong together.
The powerful decision-maker had also already said that there would be no muzzle for the drivers, each of them could freely “express their opinion on controversial issues”, he emphasized.
On Thursday, the official media rounds before the weekend will show who is actually using it. Above all, Mercedes star Hamilton and four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel do not hold back on issues such as discrimination, oppression and other grievances. “I don’t think we should go to these countries and ignore what is happening there,” said the Briton Hamilton at the Bahrain Grand Prix in the spring.
The Qatari government repeatedly denied criticism and referred to reforms for workers. In the past ten years, more than any other country has been done to improve conditions for foreign workers, the official said.
Domenicali: Excluding countries would be wrong
Formula 1 is convinced that it is doing the right thing by going to Qatar. Managing Director Stefano Domenicali told the BBC that he was convinced that it would be wrong to exclude these countries. Rather, you can make improvements if you put the spotlight on Qatar and Co. According to the Italian, the agreements with the organizers also stated that human rights must be respected in all aspects of their connection with sport. If this is not the case, Formula 1 can unilaterally terminate the contracts.
The World Cup races on the Arabian Peninsula have long been more than a stopgap solution. Now, for the first time, there will be five races in succession across the seasons in the region. From Qatar it goes on to the next premiere in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and then to the season finale in the glittering world of Abu Dhabi. Next year, the start will be in Bahrain again before going to Saudi Arabia.
“Middle East good place for races”
“The Middle East is a good place for races,” said Haas team boss Günther Steiner. “These countries are up and coming and put a lot of effort into organizing these events.” In addition, it is still “warm when it gets cold in Europe,” said the South Tyrolean. “If people are planning a vacation, it’s a good place to go.”
Not everyone sees it that way. Especially not the operators of routes in Europe. Amnesty International, in turn, appealed: “The drivers and their teams should be ready to raise awareness of human rights in Qatar in the run-up to this race.”
