Amnesty International has called on Formula One to put pressure on Azeri authorities to improve their human rights record, The Guardian reports.

Kerry Moscogiuri, director of campaigns at Amnesty International UK, said: “The arrival of Formula One in Baku must not steer attention away from the Azerbaijani authorities’ human rights crackdown.

“Behind the glitz the authorities are locking up their critics, have shut down NGOs and arrested or harassed their leaders. The recent release of some of those jailed on trumped-up charges should not fool anyone into thinking that the wind in Baku is blowing in a different direction.

“Azerbaijan has courted big international sports events to improve its image abroad and the Grand Prix is no different. While the world’s fastest drivers take to the streets of Baku in this spectacle of speed, there are many who will not be able to enjoy the show.

“F1 is in pole position to influence positive change in Azerbaijan. We would like to see them publicly urge President Aliyev to end this crackdown and free all prisoners of conscience.”

This month Sports for Rights campaign co-ordinator Rebecca Vincent, while not asking for the race to be cancelled, did ask Formula One’s chief executive, Bernie Ecclestone, to become involved.

She said: “We have called on Bernie Ecclestone to publicly speak out on human rights issues in Azerbaijan and to call for the release of political prisoners. We wrote him an open letter and there has not been a public response yet.”