There is a lot of concern about human rights in Saudi Arabia. Also during the Formula 1 weekend there is a lot of media attention for the situation of the inhabitants of the country. Is it really justifiable that the premier class of motorsport sets up camp at the Jeddah circuit, while the track was built last month under very poor, if not inhumane working conditions. Max Verstappen has been approached to draw attention to this issue.

In conversation with RTL News Amnesty International's Dutch branch reveals that they sent Verstappen a letter last month. The letter contained an invitation to discuss the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia. However, there was no response from the Verstappen camp.

"We understand that Max has a very busy schedule. In March next year another Formula 1 race in Saudi Arabia is scheduled. So the invitation still stands. He is welcome to call us or drop by. We understand that this can be very complicated for him. The human rights situation is a big problem in Saudi Arabia, it's also a sensitive issue,' says Floor Beuming of Amnesty.

Verstappen asked to speak out

According to her, people like Verstappen are very important in helping to improve the situation."Our call goes out to all drivers: speak out. Post something on social media, for example. By speaking out as a top athlete, you can have an impact. The Saudi authorities are sensitive to that," said Beuming, who is joined by colleague Dagmar Oudshoorn. "Countries like Saudi Arabia are very sensitive when it comes to their international reputation."

According to director Oudshoorn, this is also why Saudi Arabia has brought in Formula 1: it wants to gain prestige and image. Beuming adds: "Of course it was not the choice of Verstappen and the other drivers to race in Saudi Arabia, but drivers with prestige like Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton can counterbalance the image that Saudi Arabia is trying to create."