Frank Conde Tangberg, policy advisor for Amnesty International Norway, criticized Formula 1's holding of races in a number of authoritarian countries.

Najah Yusuf and Hajer Mansoor, who were allegedly tortured after protesting Formula One's Grand Prix in the kingdom, have filed a legal complaint against the company saying it has breached the human rights standards it pledged to follow, the Middle East Eye website reported.

Human Rights Watch published on its website the letter human rights organizations sent on Friday to Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula One, to call him to take action on human rights violations, before the kickoff of the season next Sunday.

Campaigners for democracy and human rights in Bahrain have criticised David Beckham and other British celebrities for attending Sunday's Formula One race in the Gulf state.

Human Rights Watch urged Formula One not to turn a blind eye to human rights ahead of next week's Bahrain Grand Prix, according to the British "The Independent" newspaper.

Dubai-based MBC Group has announced that it acquired the rights to broadcast the FIA Formula One races in the Middle East and North Africa region. The broadcaster will offer F1 racing free-to-air under the deal which gives MBC five-year exclusive rights to show all 21 races.