With light reasons, drivers will find a circuit of more than six kilometers long that runs along the picturesque promenade of the city, with 27 corners and an average speed of about 252 km / h. At 50 laps, the distance of the race will measure about 309 km (192 miles), according to the website.
“Formula 1 has a lot of fans in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
The first GP of Saudi Arabia is one of the few F1 races located in the Persian Gulf, next to Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.
“[We] “Don’t be afraid that we will compete with other countries in the region,” Al Faisal said. “We see it as we all complement each other.”
“Sports washing”
But as Saudi Arabia emerges as a powerful party involved in world sport, the country’s human rights record is being criticized.
Earlier this year, human rights group Grant Liberty estimated that Saudi Arabia has spent about $ 1.5 billion on “sports laundering” since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched its Vision 2030 master plan. which aims to reduce the country’s dependence on oil exports.
Although F1 drivers have not yet spoken out against Saudi Arabia’s ten-year deal worth $ 650 million, they have previously questioned where the races are being held, especially Bahrain. .
“We’re probably the only ones going to so many different countries, and I think as a sport we have to do more,” he added.
“You have every right […] to speak “.
“I’m a big fan and we want him to come even before the race … Everyone’s opinion matters to us,” he added.
Compress dissent
In December 2020, women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul was sentenced to more than five years in prison on charges of harming national security, trying to change the Saudi political system and using its relations with foreign governments and groups. of rights to “pressure the Kingdom to change its laws and systems,” according to a charge sheet published by his family.
In 2018, former Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Khashoggi’s assassination was a rogue operation that has gone wrong.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement following the U.S. intelligence report in February, in which they made similar claims, saying the kingdom “completely rejects the negative, false and unacceptable assessment of the ‘report concerning the direction of the Kingdom and notes that the report contained inaccurate information and conclusions.’ He added that Khashoggi’s assassination was a “nasty crime and a flagrant violation of the laws and values of the kingdom.”
“What happened to Jamal Khashoggi is a tragedy for us,” Al Faisal told CNN’s Davies. “The way he had been murdered was brutal and especially for me as a Saudi or from the royal family.”
“This is something that surprised us all, and especially in Saudi Arabia. We have never heard of anyone being killed or murdered,” he said.
Al Faisal added: “I know that Saudi Arabia was known about many human rights things. But to kill or kill someone, that was a shocking thing for us, especially where he was killed and how he was killed.”
“We never expected such a thing [to come] outside the Saudis, mostly […] Saudi officials, “he added.
“That doesn’t mean that’s how we do things.”
The U.S. intelligence report concluded that bin Salman approved the operation to capture or kill Khashoggi because of his “control of decision-making in the Kingdom, the direct involvement of a key adviser, and of members of Muhammad bin Salman’s protective detail in the operation, “and his” support for the use of violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, including Khashoggi. “
A “scary” history
“It is part of a cynical strategy to distract itself from Saudi Arabia’s human rights abuses, the arrest and torture of human rights defenders and women’s rights activists,” Worden added.
“For decades, Formula 1 has worked hard [to] be a positive force everywhere, including economic, social and cultural benefits. Sports like Formula 1 have a unique position to cross borders and cultures to bring countries and communities together to share the passion and excitement of incredible competition and success, ”F1 said in a statement to CNN.
“We take our responsibilities very seriously and have made clear our position on human rights and other issues for all our partners and host countries that are committed to respecting human rights in the way they are organized and “Of course, we always have a clear view of all the places where we compete and, in the case of Saudi Arabia, we take note of the country’s evolution.”
While Al Faisal acknowledges the widespread condemnation of critics, he says he is not worried that politics could overshadow the first F1 event in the country.
“Formula One […] he is smart enough to know what serves them and their reputation, and if they considered Saudi Arabia to be one of those countries, they would never have agreed to come, ”he said.
“We want people to come to Saudi Arabia and then see [with] their own eyes and then they can opine. I respect someone’s opinion, but I need to know what it is based on and what the motivation is, ”he added.
“Saudi Arabia has changed a lot for the positive. And hopefully, we will also continue to develop, open up and change our country for what is best for our people living in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Despite Al Faisal’s prediction that political discourse will not dominate Saudi Arabia’s Grand Prix coverage, athletes have shown greater political commitment over the past year, using their platforms to shed light on social issues within their sport.
Arrive on December 5, when the race will be held, it remains to be seen whether the conversation will be just about fast cars.