Daniel Ricciardo goes into depth of the F1 campaign for change in Saudi Arabia

Daniel Ricciardo goes into depth of the F1 campaign for change in Saudi Arabia

Daniel Ricciardo

F1 decided to return to Jeddah for the second Grand Prix of the 2022 calendar over the weekend, and while the attention is directed to the Friday terror attack on the Aramco oil facility, human rights issues were debated again in the lead-up to the event. Particularly, Saudi Arabia gained notoriety earlier this month after executing 81 people in a single day, bringing the country’s total for the year to a documented 100.

When the sport entered the country for its inaugural race in last December, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel played an important role in decrying the treatment of LGBTQ+ rights in the country. Hamilton had voiced his dissatisfaction with the race in Jeddah last year, emphasising that the drivers and others engaged in F1 should do everything necessary to raise consciousness of inclusivity during their time in the Middle East.

For the race in Qatar, Hamilton also wore a rainbow-colored helmet. Last year, in the lead-up to the Jeddah race, Vettel held an all-female karting event in Jeddah a week before the race. With reference to the mass executions, McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo responded when asked if he was informed of some of the issues, “We are aware of some of the situations when we come here. We are informed, but by coming here we also have the chance to create some change or have some positive influence as opposed to not coming here.”

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McLaren has a crucial role to play: Daniel Ricciardo

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Ricciardo went on to say that “F1 is doing a lot” to combat the issue, noting that 40% of the personnel at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit were female, and 600 disadvantaged kids went to visit the circuit on Friday “to be educated and inspired.”

The Australian also mentioned McLaren’s partnership with KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology), Saudi Arabia’s first co-ed university, “to inspire and create opportunities.”

The Australian driver added, “There is a positive impact we can have when coming here. We are still trying to do more and do our best to create that or influence that in a better way. Of course, we are aware of some of the issues but we are trying to create a good change or have a good impact from us being here. For now, that is all we can do.”

Also Read: Where is Daniel Ricciardo from? Which country does he represent?