FIA president: I don’t pose my beliefs like Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel

• Sports

Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel are great human rights activists and have many times opposed any form of discrimination in society. For me, it’s very simple: how can anyone think they have the right to dictate to someone else how they should live or whom they should love?” Lewis Hamilton said, as quoted by formula1news.

The answer is: they don’t have that right. I’m happy to stand up for that principle. I’m totally against racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia and all forms of prejudice. I’m very concerned about the environment.

I’ll always stand up for those values and principles. Whether I like someone or not has nothing to do with their sexual orientation or skin colour. I see everyone as equal. But hearing from people, or reading their stories, and learning about how they dealt with suppression has surely had an impact on me, both consciously and subconsciously”.

Ben Sulayem on Vettel and Hamilton

Ben Sulayem believes that Vettel and Hamilton use this as a promotion of themselves. "Niki Lauda and Alain Prost only cared about driving,” he said in an interview with GrandPrix247.com.

Now, Vettel drives a rainbow bicycle, Lewis is passionate about human rights and Norris addresses mental health. Everybody has the right to think. To me, it is about deciding whether we should impose our beliefs in something over the sport all the time.

I am from an Arabian culture. I am international and Muslim. I do not impose my beliefs on other people? No way! Never. If you look at my operation in the UAE: 16 nationalities! Name me one federation that has that many nationalities.

On top, there are over 34% women and 7 religions. And even more Christians than Muslims. I am proud because it creates credibility and merit. But do I go and pose my beliefs? No. The rules are there, even now there are issues when it comes to, for example, jewellery, I didn’t write that”.