Formula 1 chooses the controversial Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to communicate its support for the Race Against Dementia association

Founded by Jackie Stewart, triple Formula 1 World Champion, the Race Against Dementia foundation raises funds to support and accompany the research for a treatment against Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

The purpose of this partnership is to use the global reach of F1 to raise awareness among supporters and encourage them to support the association. The drivers and title sponsors are also encouraged to do the same. In fact, Lando Norris was the first to share the information on social media.

“The Formula 1 is proud to support Race Against Dementia in its tireless work to find a cure for a terrible disease that destroys lives and tears apart families,” said Stefano Domenicali, president of F1.

While Sir Jackie Stewart, on the other hand, emphasized the urgency of finding a cure. I am thrilled that F1 has appointed RAD as the official charity organization. If we do not do anything to find a cure or a way to prevent this terrible disease, one in three people born today will die from dementia. The statistics are terrifying.

Helen, my wife, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2015, so I know firsthand the challenges faced by people living with dementia. “This crisis can’t go on any longer,” he adds.

The F1 pointed out this weekend

This expression of support comes just a few hours after the F1 was accused of turning a blind eye to the crimes committed in Saudi Arabia, where the race is taking place this weekend.

Since coming to power in 2015, Mohammed bin Salman has pursued a policy of repression and control over the population. As a result, he has been accused of committing over 1,000 executions against human rights defenders. By hosting this Grand Prix, the kingdom is accused of engaging in sportwashing.

This is not the first time that the sports organization has been criticized. It had already been questioned by human rights associations last year when a missile fell a few kilometers from the Jeddah circuit. However, Saudi Arabia is not the only F1 host country to violate fundamental rights. This is also the case in Qatar, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, and Hungary.