Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of Formula 1, faces accusations of “arrogance” and “lacking professionalism” regarding his purported failure to address concerns regarding championship racing in nations with questionable human rights records.
These criticisms were voiced by UK peer Paul Scriven, a member of the Liberal Democrat party, during a recent discussion on sportswashing in the House of Lords. Scriven highlighted Domenicali’s alleged lack of response to these concerns as a focal point of the debate.
Notably, Scriven serves as a vice-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Groups on Democracy and Human Rights in the Gulf and has been vocal in his opposition to Formula 1 events in regions with problematic human rights situations. Specifically, he has raised objections to hosting races and testing in Bahrain.
During the House of Lords debate, Scriven referenced the case of four protesters who, he claimed, faced severe repercussions including arrests, threats, and verbal abuse after staging a demonstration near the Bahrain circuit during the 2023 grand prix.
Despite Domenicali’s reassurances that “individuals should be allowed to protest against and criticize our event without intimidation or reprisals,” reports indicate that four individuals faced severe repercussions in 2024.
According to accounts, these citizens experienced harassment, including raids on their family homes, and police summonses, and in one distressing instance, an individual was reportedly tortured and interrogated while blindfolded.
This arrest was allegedly strategically timed to coincide with F1 testing, leading to accusations that it was intended to silence all forms of protest.
Scriven has disclosed that he has reached out to Formula 1 regarding races held in countries with human rights concerns and what he perceives as a “lack of due diligence” in selecting race locations. He asserts that he has contacted F1, including two instances within the past month.
Despite these efforts, Scriven alleges that Domenicali did not acknowledge him following a meeting in 2018. However, it’s noted that F1 disputes this claim, stating that they have responded to Scriven as recently as 2023, according to information obtained.
Scriven criticized F1 CEO Domenicali, citing his “arrogance, lack of professionalism, and non-engagement.” He further stated that “his leadership of F1 is damaging the reputation of his sport, as he refuses to engage with the issues around F1 and human rights.
“He thinks he can just receive the reported £574m from the Bahrain authorities up to 2036 that makes him and his organization richer while having nothing to do with the real issues that his sport is helping to cloak in Bahrain.”
While Formula 1 took center stage in the debate, other topics such as the state-backed ownership of Premier League football clubs, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Saudi Arabia’s support for the LIV golf breakaway, and the ATP tennis competition were also highlighted.
Scriven additionally pointed out the ownership of McLaren by the Bahrain sovereign fund.
In a statement provided to Motorsport.com, Formula 1 remarked, “For decades Formula 1 has worked hard to be a positive force everywhere it races, including economic, social, and cultural benefits.
“Sports like Formula 1 are uniquely positioned to cross borders and cultures to bring countries and communities together to share the passion and excitement of incredible competition and achievement.
“We take our responsibilities on rights very seriously and set high ethical standards for counterparties and those in our supply chain, which are enshrined in contracts, and we pay close attention to their adherence.”
