{"id":3066,"date":"2022-06-09T02:23:05","date_gmt":"2022-06-09T08:23:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.irenenorth.com\/writings\/?p=3066"},"modified":"2024-04-22T02:46:05","modified_gmt":"2024-04-22T02:46:05","slug":"it-really-is-that-simple","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irenenorth.com\/writings\/2022\/06\/09\/it-really-is-that-simple\/","title":{"rendered":"It really is that simple"},"content":{"rendered":"

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As a teen in the 1980s, I heard words like \u201cfag, queer, twink,\u201d and worse from my peers. At home, my grandmother quietly instilled the virtues and values of respect, fairness, and equality. She was well-known for living the idea of not judging people until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes. Those life lessons have been on my mind this week as the president of the F\u00e9d\u00e9ration Internationale de l’Automobile<\/a> (FIA), the governing body for Formula 1, has made some incredibly disparaging remarks toward Formula 1 drivers, and awareness to issues such as mental health, human rights, and the LGBT community.<\/p>\n

Formula 1 is the only sport I follow. While it is not perfect, the sport has made great strides in the past few years to address a number of issues, including inequality, around the world. Not only are its stars involved, the greater community is as well.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, an interview with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem<\/a> was released by Grand Prix 247<\/a>. The Reddit F1 community was rightfully pissed at one response from Sulayem.<\/p>\n

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This is a good way to alienate fans. Fortunately, fans are gathering together<\/a> against Sulayem and his comments.<\/p>\n

Speaking about human rights, equality, and mental health are all good things. The rainbow flag is a way to show love and compassion for a group of people who are still oppressed globally, including in Sulayem’s country where they can be murdered simply for existing.<\/p>\n

Sebastian Vettel is a four-time world champion. Lewis Hamilton is a seven-time world champion. Lando Norris has been in F1 for three years. F1 drivers are sharing their views to show their support toward others. They aren’t trying to take anyone’s rights away from others.<\/p>\n

Sulayem should also learn Formula 1 history. Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, and many other drivers in the sport, cared about more than just driving.<\/p>\n

Niki Lauda<\/a> and safety go hand-in-hand. Lauda even drove his car into the pits once, retiring from the title-deciding race and literally giving away the championship, because he thought the race was too dangerous and he had already lost too many friends to the sport.<\/p>\n

Alain Prost<\/a>, has been outspoken<\/a> in and out of the cockpit about safety. In 2015, he told MotorSport, “Formula 1 can never feel it has to done enough to improve safety” as the sport was coming to terms with Jules Bianchi’s death.<\/p>\n

James Hunt<\/a> spoke out against Apartheid, as did others of the time.<\/p>\n

Ayrton Senna<\/a> was outspoken about safety. He was a devout Christian, who spoke about his faith often. He wore a cross and often said he could see to \u201csee god\u201d when he was driving. He angered other drivers because he believed god protected him, which made him take risks, endangering other drivers who did not believe as he did. Senna also spoke out against Apartheid, but raced in South Africa due to obligations to his team, much like the drivers do today as they race in the Middle East.<\/p>\n

The French teams boycotted the 1985 South African Grand Prix. Alan Jones \u201cgot the flu\u201d before the race. Sponsors, including Marlboro, pulled their advertising and branding. The Brazilian government told their countrymen not to race, but the drivers felt an obligation due to contracts to their teams.<\/p>\n

At the 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, nearby oil refineries were bombed. The smoke could be seen from the track. The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association voted not to drive, but were forced to as rumors abounded they and their crews might have trouble leaving the country.<\/p>\n

Soon after this race, Sulayem’s FIA began a campaign against drivers about the jewelry and underwear, yes underwear, drivers wore. Technically, both are listed in the F1 rules and regulations as safety issues. In protest, Lewis refused to take off his jewelry. Seb wore his underwear on the outside of his racing overalls<\/a>. While Seb was the most vocal<\/a>, other drivers agreed it seemed like the FIA was targeting Lewis. The issue still has not been resolved. The fact that Sulayem chose Pride Month to start talking against basic human rights is telling.<\/p>\n

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The F1 subreddit<\/a> has changed its logo for the weekend to Seb riding a rainbow bike. Seb showed up in Baku this morning riding his bike.<\/p>\n

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If Lewis swapped his regular scooter<\/a> a rainbow scooter, they could ride around the paddock together. Lando Norris is not the only<\/a> driver<\/a> who speaks up<\/a> about mental health<\/a>. Norris speaks openly about his struggles with depression. He and his team, McLaren, are partnered with Mind<\/a>, an organization which provides advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem.<\/p>\n

No one has an issue with any of this, except, it seems, Sulayem. Talking about human rights, equality, and mental health is not imposing your beliefs on anyone else. Drivers speak in opposition to the things pertinent to their times. It’s not imposing their beliefs. It’s using their platforms to raise awareness to issues they think are important.<\/p>\n

So, why do I bring all of this up? Unless you live under a rock, you know June is Pride month<\/a> around the world. Attitude, a British magazine, has released its July\/August issue with a front cover profile of Sebatian Vettel. The article<\/a> is fantastic and I encourage you to read it. You can also watch the interview with Seb below.<\/p>\n