The Grand Prix has received criticism from
Amnesty International on the grounds of
human rights in Saudi Arabia, which is a totalitarian state.
Human Rights Watch also condemned the decision arguing that "it is part of a cynical strategy to distract from Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses".
Formula One responded by saying that "Formula One has made our position on human rights and other issues clear to all our partners and host countries who commit to respect human rights in the way their events are hosted and delivered" and that "Formula One has worked hard to be a positive force everywhere it races, including economic, social and cultural benefits". According to Human Rights Watch, the Grand Prix and other sports events are being used by Saudi Arabia to distract people from serious human rights abuses. The Global Initiative Director at Human Rights Watch, Minky Worden, called upon Formula One to assess situation in Saudi Arabia and insist on releasing women's rights defenders who spoke in favour of women's right to drive. In February 2021, 45 human rights organizations called on
Lewis Hamilton to boycott the Grand Prix, citing among other factors Saudi Arabia's role in the
Yemeni Civil War and
the assassination of
The Washington Post journalist
Jamal Khashoggi. Saudi Arabia has denied the Grand Prix was being used for
sportswashing, arguing that the race forms part of the country's efforts to open itself up to the outside world. The event received criticism from human rights groups. Many accused the Arab nation and its
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of "sportswashing" their image. It was claimed that Saudi Arabia was stepping into some of the biggest sport events to cover its human rights violations. Following the
missile interception in
Diriyah during the
2021 Diriyah ePrix, questions were raised about the event's viability. Formula One later stated that they would never go to high security risk areas, though they also stated that they had "every confidence that the Saudi government and its agencies have both the technology and capability to ensure this safety and security". During the 2021 race,
Lewis Hamilton wore a rainbow-coloured helmet, showing his support for the
LGBT community and showed that he wanted the rules on people in the
LGBT community to change in Saudi Arabia. He also wore this helmet in the previous and following race. The
2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was impacted by the
Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels carried out a missile attack on an
Aramco oil depot (approximately from the circuit), causing an explosion, during the first of two practice sessions. The incident highlighted risks for the race, with drivers, such as
Lewis Hamilton, raising concerns over the event’s safety. After discussions lasting several hours, an agreement was reached to hold the event. Besides the attack, there were serious questions over the years of human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia. The authoritarian regime was criticised for its continued repression of dissidents, particularly in light of the
mass execution of 81 people two weeks before the race. The
2026 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was cancelled on 14 March 2026 following the breakout of the
conflict between Iran and the United States on the grounds of driver and staff safety. ==Circuit==