Fans rebel against F1 on social media, but the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia is ecstatic.
Formula 1 recently revealed the first images and details of the new Saudi Arabian Grand Prix circuit. Located in Jeddah by the Red Sea, it’s the third F1 race to be held in the Middle East. The inaugural event will be the penultimate round of the 2021 season in December, and it already comes with a daunting reputation. It proclaims to be the “fastest ever street track” on the race calendar, with an average speed of 155mph. That dubbing is sure to whet the appetites of fanatical fans and send the commentariat into a whirlwind frenzy.
Both are likely salivating at the prospect of seeing supposedly the best drivers on earth totally own such a challenging track. F1’s social media marketing machine went into full promotion overdrive mode as the unveiling attempted to whip up some fanfare. The PR video had a professional polish, with some snazzy graphics that reeled off some catchy soundbites, and disclosed some snappy statistics. It was all very glossy.
The striking content put the comments section into meltdown. One user uttered: “This looks sick!” Another remarked: “Can't wait for this one!” And another said: “Lowkey a bangin track! Can’t wait to see the boy’s race there.” They’ve hit the nail right on the proverbial head. With 27 corners and a 3.8-mile-long lap, it will be the second-longest circuit on the race calendar. Add into the equation that the Jeddah Street Circuit will be the second full night race on the calendar, and fans ought to be rejoicing with hysterics.
The track itself looks superb and is sure to put on a sensationally spectacular spectacle that’s tremendously exciting, I have absolutely no doubt. Of course, there is just the small issue of how F1 can justify promoting the pinnacle of motorsport with a host country such as Saudi Arabia, given the nation is notorious for its abysmal human rights record. But F1 has had dealings with tyrannical regimes in the Middle East before – Bahrain and Abu Dhabi – as well as other nations like China and Russia, so associating with Saudi Arabia was no big deal.
Even so, it has caused a backlash from campaign groups condemning the decision and, as it turns out, F1’s fanbase. It was something a member of the social media team thought they should mention in conversation with Chase Carey, the Non-Executive Chairman of F1, in the media office. You know, just so he’s aware.
“Mr Carey, we have a problem,” said the social media team member. “Fans are criticising the PR we put out on social media feeds about the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. They’re not impressed at all.”
“Really? That doesn’t make sense. Can’t imagine why. These fans should be grateful for a new race,” said a confused Chase. “F1 is extending its reach to new cultures and creating a bigger fanbase. What can possibly be said about the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to discredit that? I honestly can’t imagine what.”
“Err, well the comments section is having a bit of a meltdown,” said the nervous social media team member. “Fans are rebuking the decision to stage a race in Saudi Arabia because of violations to human rights in the country. Many fans think it constitutes a red line that shouldn’t be crossed.”
“WHAT,” exclaimed Chase. “I thought you told me the feedback about the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was positive. You’re only telling me this now! Why didn’t you say so?”
“Well, you did only ask for the positive comments Mr Carey,” reminded the social media team member. “But I hasten to add that the favourable comments are very much in the minority in the social media comments sections though.”
“Come on, tell me. What types of comments are fans making about the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix?” said an inquisitive but irritated Chase.
“Most aren’t good, Mr Carey. One user said: ‘The worst decision ever. F1 in Saudi Arabia. What a shame.’ Another user remarked: ‘Future thinking… Saudi Arabia? What’s wrong with you?’ And another user uttered: ‘Who even thought this was a good idea?’ Someone even said: ‘Lets all just not watch it.’”
As the anxious social media team member relayed the feedback from fans, Chase became increasingly indignant. But he was still baffled as to why the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was triggering such scathing remarks.
“I think it’s got something to do with the human rights record in Saudi Arabia,” said the social media team member. “It’s not good, and fans think that by staging a race in the country doesn’t reflect well on F1.”
“Human rights,” exclaimed Chase, scoffing at the mere mention of such a term. “What do fans care about humans rights? What have fans got to say about human rights?” Chase said defensively.
“Not good things, Mr Carey. One user uttered: ‘We race for money. Human Rights 0. Profits 1.’ Another user said: ‘And still no women will be allowed inside.’ One user joked: ‘It’s rights out and away we go.’ Another remarked: ‘We race as one huh?’ That comment clearly mocks the We Race As One initiative. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg Mr Carey...”
As the extent of the backlash was conveyed to Chase, the social media team member felt the need to defend themself. “I’m just the messenger Mr Carey. Please don’t get angry at me.”
Chase composed himself. “I’m not angry at you,” he exclaimed with an undertone of anger. “It’s all these snowflakes on social media. They just engage in virtue signalling about such trivial subjects. It’s these woke warriors that are the real trouble makers. Now people actually care about human rights. I mean, what actual human rights breaches have Saudi Arabia committed exactly?”
Chase was exasperated. He couldn’t believe people actually took human rights seriously. The social media team member went onto the Amnesty International website to list some examples of human rights infringements that Saudi Arabia has been complicit in. They took a deep breath and braced themself.
“I’m afraid the list is quite extensive, Mr Carey. Authorities violate human rights by using torture as punishment, often following unfair trials. Corporal punishment like flogging is commonplace, as is other forms of torture. Saudi Arabia is one of the top executioners, many done by public beheadings. Authorities repress rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. Dozens of government critics, human rights defenders, including women’s rights activists, have been detained and prosecuted, threatened into silence or have fled the country.”
“Is that it. Haha!” Chase heckled snidely.
“No, Mr Carey. There's more,” replied the social media team member.
“Public gatherings, including demonstrations, are criminal acts. Women and girls are discriminated against in law, making them subordinate citizens. Former defendants have informed Amnesty International that torture in police custody is routine. You can be arrested with no good reason, as some human rights activists have been detained without charge or trial for more than two years. Religious discrimination is rife, with many of the Kingdom's Shi'a minority subject to exclusion from services and employment. And authorities continue to prohibit humans rights organisations in the country. Done now. You have to admit, that's horrendous Mr Carey.”
At this point, the social media team member was abruptly rebuked: “All right, you’re not Mahatma Gandhi or Mother Teresa. That’s enough,” Chase blurted out with resentment in the wake of evidence and truth bursting his privileged bubble. His disbelief at the revelations came as a bit of a shock to him. Chase stood in silence for a few minutes. He proceeded to mutter to himself.
His quiet musings culminate with Chase trying to justify F1 staging a Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. “But other high-profile sporting events have taken place in country; football, boxing and golf have all agreed to stage an event in Saudi Arabia in recent years. What’s the difference with F1 doing the same? Nothing as far as I can tell,” Chase said dismissing the objections in a defiant manner.
The social media team member quickly retorted: “Two wrongs don’t make a right, Mr Carey. And we did attach a statement to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix PR about F1’s position on human rights. Have you read it?”
“I did yes,” Chase said unconvincingly. “But remind me now of its content again, just to refresh my memory.”
“Okay,” said the social media team member who was scrambling to find the press release. “Here it is. An F1 spokesman said: ‘We take our responsibilities very seriously and have made our position on human rights and other issues clear to all our partners and host countries who commit to respect human rights in the way their events are hosted and delivered.’”
“Ha! There it is!” Chase said triumphantly. “That ought to have appeased the social media snowflakes, virtue signallers and woke warriors,” he said gleefully.
“Err, Mr Carey, fans don’t seem to have taken that statement with any sincerity at all. It’s not been taken seriously,” said the hesitant social media team member. “And anyway, aren’t Saudi Arabia just Sportswashing? You know, when the image of a country is bad, that country uses sport to improve its reputation, to make it look good. Cause that’s what it comes across as to me with Saudi Arabia hosting a Grand Prix. The country is just exploiting F1 for its own advantage.”
“Now don’t be such a cynical doomsayer,” snapped Chase. “Bernie told me Putin was very accommodating to him and F1 when he organised the Russian Grand Prix. And Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman would never think of doing this dishwashing business you mention.”
“Sportswashing, Mr Carey, Sportswashing,” the social media team member interjects.
“Yes, car washing, whatever. And in any case, if there are breaches of human rights in Saudi Arabia, and F1 decides to stage a Grand Prix in the country anyway, that responsibility resides with the President and CEO of F1, Stefano Domenicali. Not me,” Chase said grinning with reassurance.
“But that decision for Saudi Arabia to stage a Grand Prix was taken during your tenure as President and CEO of F1 Mr Carey,” retorted the social media team member. “It was part of your remit to focus on increasing fan engagement on and off the track. It seems that the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has alienated lots of fans, and made F1 look out of touch.”
Chase was like a rabbit caught in the headlights. He defended his record as President and CEO of F1 between January 2017 and December 2020 to the social media team member. But he couldn’t find an excuse to deflect blame from the truth. Chase defaulted to denial mode.
“It’s still not my problem. It’s Stefano’s,” Chase said curtly.
Somewhat taken aback, the social media team member said: “But can’t you take responsibility on behalf of F1 for the decision to stage a Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia given the humans rights violations?”
“I don’t have to. Stefano carries that baton now, mwahahaha,” Chase admitted with relish.
“So, because the human rights transgressions in Saudi Arabia don’t affect you personally, you don’t care about it affecting other people, Mr Carey?” probed the social media team member.
Chase thought for a brief moment, then said: “No, not really,” without a hint of doubt or regret in his voice.
Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was belly dancing on some decapitated critic corpses with delight at the prospect of the country staging its inaugural Grand Prix. Everything was unfolding exactly as he had planned.
Photos: Formula 1
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