The interview with Stefano Domenicali will be broadcasted on Friday at 2130GMT.
The new grands prix in Saudi Arabia and the new one in Qatar can help improve human rights in those countries, according to Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali.
The Gulf states have been criticized for their human rights records but Domenicali argued that shutting them down would have a negative effect.
Domenicali said that an important change can't happen overnight. It will take time to make a cultural change.
The timing will be accelerated by big events. Formula 1 will play an important role in that respect.
The coverage of the Grand Prix of Qatar on radio and online.
The first grand prix of the season will be held in Qatar this weekend, followed by Saudi Arabia two weeks later.
The two races are being held in Middle Eastern countries, which are rich in fossil fuel.
Next year, the World Cup will take place in the Middle East, as well as Anthony Joshua's title bout with Anthony Ruiz in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia's wealth fund bought a team in the English premier league.
Domenicali said in an exclusive interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation that F1's contracts with Saudi Arabia and Qatar contain guarantees that they respect human rights. F1 has the right to break its contract with them if they don't comply.
He said the countries were already taking actions that showed they were serious about changing their societies.
"If you look pragmatically at what they are doing, they have women in prominent positions in the organisation, they are working and respecting the regulations," Domenicali said.
The spotlight we are bringing will be beneficial for the will and wishes of change that these countries are showing.
I don't think shutting countries off and saying we don't want to be there will help the situation. It will be the opposite.
"It doesn't mean everything is perfect, but for sure what we are doing and what we are signing off is headed in the right direction."
He said that F1 had hired auditors to monitor the construction of the new track in Saudi Arabia to make sure workers' rights were respected.
The event is being held on a track outside of Doha.
A spectacular backdrop is created by the twilight Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
What are the opinions of human rights groups?
Rich countries in the Middle East have long seen elite sport as a means to rebrand and "sportswash" their images, and the grand prix races in Qatar and Saudi Arabia fit into this mold.
Both of these countries have troubling human rights records, from Saudi Arabia's murder of a journalist and the treatment of migrant workers in the country, to the repressive curbs on free speech in the country.
The use of glamour and razzmatazz of F1 to distract attention from human rights abuses is something that must not be allowed to happen.
F1 drivers and their teams should speak out about human rights in Saudi Arabia and the other countries of the Middle East in the lead-up to the races, to break the spell of sportwashing and its intended image-management.
F1 should ensure that all contracts for these races contain strict labour standards across all related supply chains and infrastructure development projects, and its spokespeople should use their influence to push for human rights improvements in both countries.
The promoter of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix said in a statement that they wanted to leverage the power of F1 to empower all men and women in the Kingdom and to use it as a means of promoting further progress tounlock the talent and potential of all.
The partnership with Formula 1 will support economic diversification, encourage local participation in sport and serve as a catalyst to accelerate reforms, said an official from the state of Qatar.
The spotlight that comes with hosting international sporting events is being used to make positive and lasting changes.
The Saudi Arabian GP circuit is under construction.
Is F1's claims genuine?
F1 wants to be net-zero carbon by the year 2030 and one of the ways it will do this is to use sustainable fuels in the new engine formula.
Saudi Arabia's national oil company is working with the sport to develop net-zero carbon fuels.
The Saudi government has been accused of working against a commitment to phase out fossil fuels at the recent COP 26 environmental summit.
Domencali insisted that the Saudis' commitment to sustainable F1 was real.
He said that they don't believe that full electrification is the only answer to sustainable issues.
Billions of cars around the world cannot be turned over to electric in time, so we believe sustainable fuel is the right path.
We have a big commitment that will allow a drop-in fuel. Aramco is working very hard to find a technical solution that is applicable in the shortest time possible.
"This is something that is real and you will see soon some other things that will happen in our championship that are under our control to show we are really serious about that."
It will allow the world to understand the importance of this future. It will be the most efficient and easiest way to be sustainable on a large scale.
There is a role that motorcyle can play in cleaner mobility.
Is it all about money?
Saudi Arabia is paying one of the largest fees for a race in the world, and it is said that the contract with F1 is the most lucrative in the sport's history.
The financial losses suffered by F1 during the 2020 season were not the reason why these deals were needed.
Money is part of the business, and you don't have to forget that if you want to develop the business. It is one thing that we forget, but the investments certain countries are putting into our business will benefit everyone.
People invest because they like our product. This is showing how strong the F1 platform is.
F1 is expected to make more money this year than in 2019. Domenicali said that he couldn't anticipate the results because it is a listed company.
He admitted that the numbers are looking good, but said it wasn't solely because of race fees.
The business model of F1 is more than just related to the promoter. "It is related to media rights, sponsors, licensing agreements, and all of these are giving good results that hopefully we can disclose at the end of the season."
