Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel has been very critical of Saudi Arabia’s policy of ‘sportswashing’ to cover up for their human rights issues.
Vettel is one of the most outspoken drivers in Formula 1 today. The four-time World Champion has raised concerns over several issues like climate change and LGBTQ+ rights over the last few years.
However, his more recent concerns have been about human rights issues in some countries. In particular, he admitted that he wasn’t comfortable with F1 working closely with countries like Saudi Arabia. Vettel went as far as questioning how ‘clean’ the money F1 earns from these countries actually is.
“It’s wrong we go to certain places because if you had morals then you would just say no,” Vettel said.
Sebastian Vettel wearing the rainbow flag at the #HungarianGP, in a country that recently voted anti-LGBTQ laws.
Mad respect. 
pic.twitter.com/w9GfIG9VVc
— Fiona ‘Grainne’ B (@Grainne_Fiona) August 1, 2021
Saudi Arabia hosted it’s first ever F1 race last year in Jeddah. In what was a monumental moment for motorsports in the middle-eastern country, the former Red Bull driver admitted that he wasn’t comfortable racing there.
Earlier this week, Aston Martin announced that they had signed a long term deal with Saudi oil giants Aramco. This may not sit well with Vettel as he has been critical about promoting the concept of ‘sportswashing’. And now, his own team has a title sponsor that belongs to a country that has been accused of violating human rights.
So read: Watch Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher drift on the ice ahead of the 2022 Race of Champions
Aramco signs deal with Aston Martin months after rumors linked them to the Mercedes outfit
Last October, reports emerged that linked Aramco to the Mercedes F1 team. It was rumored that Petronas would end their 11 year partnership with Mercedes due to budget issues, and the Saudi company would replace them.
Petronas suffered massive losses after the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic. As a result, they recorded millions of dollars in losses due to lower oil prices and more demand.
Aramco on the other hand have naming rights to 3 Grand Prixs and also work to support F1’s Esports division. However, fans have been criticizing their involvement in the sport for similar concerns as Vettel’s.
NEWS: @AstonMartinF1 and @aramco have announced today a long-term strategic partnership which will drive the development of efficient internal combustion engines, sustainable fuels, advanced lubricants and the deployment of non-metallic materials in vehicles. read more 
— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) February 3, 2022
The deal between Mercedes and Aramco obviously didn’t go through and Petronas remains the Brackley based team’s main title sponsor.
Meanwhile on twitter, Aston Martin announced their partnership with the oil giants.
“Aston Martin and Aramco have today announced a long-term strategic partnership which will drive the development of efficient internal combustion engines, sustainable fuels, advanced lubricants and the deployment of non-metallic materials in vehicles,” the statement read.
