A prisoner in Bahrain has urged seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton not to be silenced by the FIA's new rule
Hamilton has previously raised concerns about the locations F1 races in, with the likes of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi all strongly criticised for abuse by human rights organisations.
"I would like to share with you the disappointment I felt after learning that political and religious statements were banned by the FIA; a decision that, in my opinion, perpetuates a policy which muzzles drivers and who makes you its primary target,” he wrote. “I therefore ask you to fight this policy.
Alwadaei added Hamilton has “used his platform to express support for Black Lives Matter and human rights in countries with problematic human rights records, including Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.” Alwadaei issued a further statement to BBC Sport, which read:"When the FIA and F1 choose to grant races to some of the world's most repressive regimes, like Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, they are facilitating sports-washing and allowing these dictatorships to launder their horrifying rights records.
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