‘Lewis Hamilton’ has become the inspiration for prisoners in Bahrain because last year he demanded that Formula One takes responsibility for the issues related to Human Rights in the countries it visits. His car number was 44, and prisoners adopted him.

F1 will start their new session this weekend only in Bahrain, a nation that criticised him for abuse by human rights organisations. Yesterday, Ali Alhajee, one of the prisoners in Bahrain, wrote an official letter to Hamilton in which they explained how the seven-time champion had made a difference.

Furthermore, Alhajee explained that the political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Bahrain’s Jau prison had earlier boycotted watching F1 because of its role in sports washing the power. Hamilton’s direct stance on human rights and his support in 2021 for some political prisoners who wrote to him from Bahrain has changed their attitude.

He stated that “Your genuine concern about these cases has changed the thinking of how the prisoners think of this sport.” In a letter he shared with the media, he wrote that ” To us, you are our champ, you are not best in driving only, but also you are a good human being who cares about the sufferings of others. To show our support to you, a new phenomena spread in prison.

Alhajee also claimed that he suffered from torture during his interrogation, and he was in jail for whole ten years for organising peaceful protests in Manama, the capital of Bahrain. “I was a free bird when I was in prison despite my handcuffs and the prison walls. Even the prison walls did not stop me from exposing the rights of humans we suffer from within.

The prisoners’ point of view is not considered a world champion but someone who is upholding their human rights. I was with my other cellmates. I wish you guys the best in your race in Bahrain. Please remember that you have supporters in jail.