Horner – sport should never be used as political tool

(BBC) - RED Bull team principal, Christian Horner says sport “should never be used as a political tool” but it has to find a “sensible balance” regarding freedom of speech.

Formula 1 ’ s governing body the FIA added a new rule this year that states drivers need written permission to express political or religious views Horner said sport ’ s first objective should be to “entertain”.

The 49 - year - old added : “ You have that element of escapism within it.”

The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (Bird) accused the FIA of “ suppressing drivers’ freedom of speech ” with the changes to the sporting code and questioned its commitment to human rights.

Speaking at Red Bull ’ s ‘season launch’ in New York to reveal the car ’ s updated livery and the new partnership with Ford, Horner stressed his team had always been open to drivers voicing their opinions

“We certainly at Red Bull have never constrained our drivers of their freedom of speech, or the ability to speak their minds because they do have a voice,” he said

“ I think it ’ s a matter of finding a balance In the world that we live in today, everybody has a voice and that shouldn’t be suppressed

“ But of course , it does have to be done responsibly

So, we don’t want a load of robots that are without an opinion going racing

“Like with all things, it just has to be a sensible balance.”

In recent seasons , Mercedes ’ Lewis Hamilton and former Ferrari and Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel have used their platform in F1 to raise issues such as Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ + rights.

Red Bull ’ s Sergio Perez says the drivers “do not feel comfortable” with the restrictions the FIA has imposed The Mexican said : “ We want to be ourselves and we