Formula One: Lewis Hamilton lauds Susie Wolff’s action against FIA, says he’s never backed its ruler, Mohammed ben Sulayem
- Asked if 62-year-old Emirati Ben Sulayem remains the right person in charge of the FIA and if he still has his backing, Hamilton said: ‘He never has.’
- The British Mercedes driver also said he was ‘incredibly proud of Susie’ for taking a stand for accountability in ‘a male-dominated sport’
Lewis Hamilton said he has never supported Formula One’s ruler, Mohammed ben Sulayem, and believes the sport is sending out a “message that if you file a complaint, you will be fired” amid the Christian Horner controversy.
Ben Sulayem, elected as FIA president in December 2021, was cleared by his own organisation’s ethics committee on Wednesday after he was accused of meddling with the result of last year’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and attempting to block the certification of F1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix on the Strip in November.
But four hours later, on another whirlwind day in the controversy-hit world of F1, Susie Wolff announced she had filed a criminal complaint against the FIA following the sporting federation’s conflict-of-interest inquiry in December into her and husband, Toto, the team principal of Hamilton’s Mercedes team.
Earlier this month, Christian Horner’s accuser was suspended on full pay in the wake of Red Bull’s investigation into alleged “inappropriate behaviour” by the F1 team principal. The employee of the Milton Keynes team has since appealed against the decision to exonerate Horner.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton was asked if 62-year-old Emirati Ben Sulayem remains the right person in charge of the FIA and if he still has his backing.
“He never has,” said Hamilton. The seven-time world champion was then asked for his thoughts on Wolff’s decision to launch legal action.
“Firstly, I’m incredibly proud of Susie,” said Hamilton, a two-time winner of the Australian Grand Prix. “I think she is so brave, and she stands for such great values.
“She’s such a leader and in a world where often people are silenced, for her to be standing up sends such a great message.
“There is a real lack of accountability here, within this sport, within the FIA.
“There are things that are happening behind closed doors, there is no transparency, there is really no accountability and we need that. The fans need that. How can you trust the sport and what is happening here if you don’t have that?
“So, hopefully this stand that she’s taking now will create change, will have a positive impact, and especially for women.
“It is still a male-dominated sport, and we’re living in a time where the message is, if you file a complaint, you will be fired, and that is a terrible narrative to be projecting to the world, especially when we’re talking about inclusivity here in the sport.
“We need to make sure we stay true to the core values.”
The probe into the Wolffs arose at the end of last year after a report in Business F1 magazine claimed that other team principals were concerned Toto was benefiting from information shared by his wife, who runs the all-female F1 Academy series.
Two days after the FIA announced its compliance department was “looking into” the allegations, the federation said it “can confirm that there is no ongoing investigation in terms of ethical or disciplinary inquiries involving any individual”.
At the time, Susie, 41, described the allegations as “intimidatory and misogynistic”.
And on Wednesday, she wrote on social media: “I can confirm that I personally filed a criminal complaint in the French courts on the 4th of March in relation to the statements made about me by the FIA last December.
“There has still not been any transparency or accountability in relation to the conduct of the FIA and its personnel in this matter.
“I feel more than ever it is important to stand up, call out improper behaviour and make sure people are held to account. Whilst some may think silence absolves them from responsibility – it does not.”
The FIA has been approached for a comment.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen said he can understand why Toto Wolff wants to take him to Mercedes – but the triple Formula One world champion insists it his “intention” to see out his contract with Red Bull.
Following Verstappen’s ninth consecutive victory in Saudi Arabia earlier this month, Wolff revealed for the first time that he would “love” to sign Verstappen as a replacement for the Ferrari-bound Hamilton.
Verstappen, 26, is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, but his future is in the spotlight amid the infighting at Formula One’s dominant team.
Responding to Wolff’s comments ahead of Sunday’s third round of the season in Australia, Verstappen replied with a smile: “I can understand (why).
“It is always nice to hear that. Toto and I have had our moments. That is normal between two teams battling for the championship but the respect has always been there.
“From my side, it doesn’t change anything. I don’t know what will happen after 2028 – if I will stay in F1, or continue, or sign a new deal (with Red Bull).
“But that is why I signed the deal in the first place. I am happy within the team and it is my intention to be here in the end.”
