Jean Todt, president of motor racing's governing body, the FIA, says Formula One should not be concerned about racing in countries with human rights issues.
Saudi Arabia's introduction of the 2021 race schedule has been controversial & has been questioned by human rights groups. F1's Bahrain Grand Prix has raised concerns in the past, as have races in China, Russia & Abu Dhabi.
Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone used to say that the sport should stay out of politics. Todd, who works with the United Nations on road safety, agrees with that mindset.
"It's something that's very dear to my heart," he said. "And for five years now I have been very much involved as the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for Road Safety.
"If you look at the high level panel I created on road safety, you have Michael Ellison, the former High Commissioner for Human Rights.
"You have Michelle Bachelet, the de facto High Commissioner for Human Rights. You have Filippo Grandi, the High Commissioner for Refugees. So in a way, it's a privilege that I have to discuss with him.
"Yesterday [F1 boss] Stefano [Domenicali] came to visit me, & I had Jacques Tubbon, the former Minister of Justice, who was in charge of human rights in France until last year, & I spoke to him about it.
"And everyone is in favor of running anywhere around the world. I mean, we're a sport.
"It's also something I've discussed frequently with Thomas Bach with the International Olympic Committee. Because they have the same problem. & clearly we believe that sport should not be politically involved."
Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton is becoming increasingly vocal about F1's need to make an impact in the venues chosen for the race.
Speaking ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix this year, he said: "There are issues around the world but I don't think we should go to these countries & ignore what is happening in those places, arrive, have a good time & then are going".
Todd said he always wanted to have open dialogue with human rights groups.
"We need to engage with NGOs [non-governmental organizations]," Todd said. "And I mean, good NGOs like Human Rights Watch, who are reasonable people, try to say what kind of contribution can we make? So we're working, we're working on that.
"You can explain the way it helps you. In my opinion, going to those countries also gives people who are negative about the country something they probably wouldn't have.
"So, as I said, it's very much a question of interpretation. But, to me, I feel right."