F1 racer Daniel Ricciardo blasted over ‘ignorant’ comments on anti-LGBT+ Saudi Arabia

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Formula One racer Daniel Ricciardo has been criticised after admitting his “ignorance” amid backlash over Saudi Arabia’s LGBT+ and human rights record.

Saudi Arabia hosted its first-ever Grand Prix on Sunday (5 December), with winner Lewis Hamilton using the occasion to highlight the fact that LGBT+ people are criminalised in the country for simply existing.

However, McLaren racer Ricciardo has faced fierce backlash after telling reporters he is “ignorant” on such matters as he does not watch the news.

The 32-year-old Australian was asked how important it is that drivers use their platforms to discuss the human rights abuses riddling Saudi Arabia, LGBT+ rights included.

The country has one of the worst LGBT+ rights records in the world, with the absolute monarchy freely permitting the killing, torture, imprisonment and chemical castration of LGBT+ people. The nation’s security agency, the Presidency of State Security, has even dubbed homosexuality, feminism and atheism all forms of “extremism“.

Ricciardo said in an interview: “I think it’s important if you know the situation and you know what you’re talking about.

“To be honest, I don’t watch the news and some people say it’s a bit ignorant but I choose not to watch it because… a lot of the time, people like drama and negativity.

Disappointed but not surprised pic.twitter.com/KqcWcUBk8o

— eden