Ten days after some teams and journalists received an email with the dress code to follow during the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix , the Ministry of Sport has backtracked. This post established rules for both sexes, although much more restrictive for women, in order to respect and maintain local customs.
The dress code prohibited necklines , items above the knees such as shorts , ripped jeans , dresses , close- fitting clothing, and even excessive makeup . These restrictions, in addition to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, were extended to any public place in the city of Jeddah .
While the dress code has caused quite a stir in the West, these same measures were applied on the Dakar. However, as this is the first time that Formula 1 has landed in the country, the Saudi government has wanted to make an exception.
Saudi Arabia puts tourism first
“Our main goal is to ensure that everyone who visits Jeddah experiences how warm and welcoming this place is. The Ministry of Sports has stressed that there will be no dress code on the Jeddah Corniche circuit or in any public place in Jeddah . This applies to everyone, regardless of gender ”, you can read in the statement issued in this regard. Still, fans are urged to ” respect Saudi Arabian cultural sensibilities when in public .”
On the other hand, it seems that the email with the dress code that some teams and journalists received was sent by mistake. Without such restrictions, and through sport, Saudi Arabia is trying to clean up its image to encourage tourism and thus reduce its economic dependence on oil. That is why, during the weekend in which the Grand Prix will take place, artists of international stature such as Justin Bieber, David Guetta or Jason Derulo will offer performances.
The arrival of Formula 1 to Saudi Arabia
Formula 1 claims to be delighted to be part of the opening phase that the country is doing. “We are excited to welcome Saudi Arabia. It is a country that has quickly become a hub of sporting and entertainment events with many events in recent years and we are delighted that Formula 1 is going there ”, stated its CEO, Chase Carey, months ago.
For his part, Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki AlFaisal Al Saud, who is also the Minister of Sports, declared: “The excitement of Formula 1 reflects the moment of transformation that the country is experiencing.”
Amnesty International, against
Shortly after the race was announced, Felix Jakens, campaign manager for Amnesty International in the UK, denounced: “Formula 1 must realize that a Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia in 2021 would be part of the efforts that there is to clean the dismal human rights record of the country . Although Saudi women were allegedly allowed to drive without arrest, authorities have recently jailed and tortured several activists fighting for women’s rights, including Loujain al-Hathloul and Nassima al-Sada. ”.
“ If the Grand Prix goes ahead, at least Formula 1 should insist that all contracts have strict labor standards in all supply chains and that all events are open to all without discrimination . Before the race, we urge all Formula 1 drivers, owners and teams to consider talking about the human rights situation in the country, including expressing solidarity with the imprisoned human rights defenders, “he added.
To this statement, a Formula 1 spokesperson replied: “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 are committed to respecting these rights in the manner in which their events are organized and held ”.
Undoubtedly, the elimination of the dress code for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix agrees with said spokesman. It will now be necessary to see if the pilots speak about the human rights situation in the country, as Amnesty International urged them to do.
