Lewis Hamilton "Not Comfortable" Racing in Saudi Arabia as He Questions Country's Human Rights Record

• Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton refused to back down on previous comments he made about Saudi Arabia's human rights
• The British Mercedes driver did so as the Saudi Arabian Grand Grix is set to take place on Sunday in the city of Jeddah
• Women's, as well as LGBTQ+ rights, were at the top of the seven-time world champion's mind as the Middle Eastern country remains under the spotlight for various unsavoury reasons

Lewis Hamilton used the platform of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to bring attention to the country's sketchy human rights record.

The Mercedes driver claimed that he'd heard "mind-blowing" accounts of human rights abuses in the Middle Eastern country. Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, was quoted before last year's race in the Saudi city of Jeddah saying that he was not comfortable racing there.

According to SuperSport, on Friday, he again said he believed it was important to raise awareness, adding:

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"My position is still the same as when I spoke on this last year. There is not really a lot that I can say that is going to make any difference. The sport has taken the choice to be here and, whether it is right or wrong, I think that while we are here, again, it is important we try to raise awareness," he said.

"We don't decide where we go, but we're duty-bound to try and do what we can while we are here. It is not necessarily our responsibility, but we try and do what we can."

On top of his mind last year was women's rights. This was shortly after his helmet at the preceding Qatar Grand Prix designed with the rainbow flag in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

Hamilton said on Friday that one 14-year-old had reached out to him with a harrowing letter, stating:

"It is obviously mind-blowing to hear the stories. I have heard there is a letter that has been sent to me, for example, from a 14-year-old that is on death row. At 14, you don't know what the hell you are doing in life...

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"I think it is important we try to educate ourselves and with a little bit of difference, we can try to make sure we are doing something. But, ultimately, it is the responsibility of those that are in power to really make the changes and we are not really seeing enough. We need to see more."

Valtteri Bottas admits it was difficult to be Lewis Hamilton’s partner, Formula 1 driver lost out on bonus

Finnish Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas will join Alfa Romeo for the new season and has opened up about his time at Mercedes.

As reported by Sports Brief, Bottas joined the Mercedes team at the start of the 2017 season.

While he served as a great team player at Mercedes, helping them to four consecutive Constructors Championships, he admitted that it was a challenge being partners with Lewis Hamilton.