F1 drivers should speak out despite Ben Sulayem criticism

Recently elected FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem reckoned there was “no way” he would use his platform at the top of motorsport’s governing body to “impose my beliefs”.

Ben Sulayem appeared to question Hamilton, Vettel and Lando Norris using their high profile to raise greater awareness on non-sporting issues.

When asked by GrandPrix247during the Monaco Grand Prix what motorsport “should not become”, Ben Sulayem replied: “Niki Lauda and Alain Prost only cared about driving.

“Now, Vettel drives a rainbow bicycle, Lewis is passionate about human rights and Norris addresses mental health.

“Everybody has the right to think. To me, it is about deciding whether we should impose our believes in something over the sport all the time.

“I am from an Arabian culture. I am international and Muslim. I do not impose my believes on other people? No way! Never.”

Ben Sulayem did appear to clarify his comments via Twitter.

On Wednesday he posted: “As a driver, I have always believed in sport as a catalyst of progress in society. That is why promoting sustainability, diversity and inclusion is a key priority of my mandate. In the same way, I value the commitment of all drivers and champions for a better future.”

Those comments were put to Hamilton ahead of the Azerbaijan GP this weekend.

The Mercedes driver, who has previously said he wants to be “an ally” to the president in response to the clash over jewellery, suggested Ben Sulayem might have been taken out of context.

The seven-time champion added that regardless of the FIA president’s views, he would not ease off in his activism and that all F1 drivers should be similarly “outspoken” on issues close to their hearts.

Hamilton continued: “That doesn’t stop us from doing what we’re doing. The sport is continuously growing. We have a bigger audience than ever… it continues to be an important platform to use our voices.

“Every single one of us…