andartop wrote:I am all for boycotting F1 races in countries governed by regimes who do not respect human rights and murder innocent civilians.
Now you tell me which of the 20 races I should watch without feeling guilty. Before you start listing any of the European countries that host races just don't forget to ask the people of former Yugoslavia, Iraq or Afghanistan...
I agree with you, there isn't a regime in this world pure enough to be called pure, many countries are at war or support certain wars, but here aren't many in calendar that send tanks and army to shoot down peaceful protesters, their own citizens.
Grand Prix of certain country should be a Grand Prix of the country, since countries are formed by people, not by regimes. GP shouldn't represent a regime, but the country as whole, and if regime turns weapon against their own citizens, than it becomes a GP of local regime, not the GP of the country.
Unfortunately, in certain countries GP are organized directly by same people who give orders to police and army to kill innocent people.
If it was up to me, I'd depoliticize all sports completely, including F1.
Team, athlete, club, sponsor, circuit name - YES
Country name, anthem, flag, politician - NO
The former abuse events for their personal promotion, promotion of their political parties, regime, ideology, religions etc. and most of all as
panem et circenses
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_and_circuses
