Climate protector Neubauer reprimands: “Formula 1 is inconsistent with human rights”

Climate protector Neubauer reprimands
“Formula 1 is inconsistent with human rights”

Before the Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia, Luisa Neubauer complains that Formula 1 ignores human rights. According to the Fridays for Future activist, the racing series even protects unjust regimes. Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel does not want to “convert” anyone in his fight for the climate.

Climate activist Luisa Neubauer criticized Formula 1 for its business policy before the Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia. “What saddens me so much is the inconsistency of big institutions like FIFA or Formula 1 when it comes to human rights violations,” said the 25-year-old in a double interview with F1 star Sebastian Vettel. With their behavior, the racing series and the world football association would not only protect regimes that violate human rights. “They also pull the sport into a corner where it doesn’t have to be, and with it the fans and sports enthusiasts,” said Neubauer, who is one of the leading figures in the Fridays for Future movement.

Like FIFA, which organized the World Cup in Russia in 2018 and awarded the tournament to Qatar for this year, Formula 1 has a very great responsibility when choosing its hosts. “If you go where human rights are being violated, you have to face the conditions and have the courage to talk about it. And demand changes from a position of power,” said Neubauer.

Formula 1 is making a guest appearance this weekend with a race in Saudi Arabia for the second time. The kingdom has been heavily criticized by human rights activists for repressing the opposition and restricting freedom of expression. Saudi Arabia executed 81 people in one day. In addition, the country has been waging a war in Yemen for years, which has triggered one of the greatest current humanitarian catastrophes.

Vettel: Doesn’t want to “convert people”

Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali had described the reports of the mass executions as “alarming”. But he also said: “The fact that we are there puts the spotlight on issues that would otherwise be in the news elsewhere.”

In the interview, Vettel once again reiterated his zeal in working to protect the climate and environment, but also drew limits. “I don’t have the incentive to convert people,” said the 34-year-old racer. Just because he will be traveling by car to the Formula 1 races in Imola or Barcelona instead of by plane doesn’t mean he’s trying to convince others of the same.

He also doesn’t blame his younger colleagues if they only wanted to concentrate on racing. “But the bigger question is: what is it all worth if the world we live in is not good and if we have to take care of it,” said the four-time world champion. The Aston Martin driver is increasingly committed to climate protection with his own campaigns and supports movements such as Fridays for Future.

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