Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has said it is becoming increasingly difficult for fans to trust Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, adding that its president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has never had his support.
His comments follow several weeks of scandal and controversy in F1, which escalated further on Wednesday when Susie Wolff, the head of all-female racing series F1 Academy, revealed she had filed a criminal complaint against the FIA.
A few hours before Wolff went public over her legal action, the FIA announced an independent investigation by its compliance department had cleared Ben Sulayem of wrongdoing in a separate claim relating to whistleblower accusations of race interference and withholding Las Vegas’ circuit certification.
Hamilton was asked by reporters during a news conference ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix if Ben Sulayem still had his backing as FIA president, he said: “He never has.”
Wolff’s legal action relates to a short-lived FIA investigation into an alleged conflict of interest between the head of the F1 Academy and her husband Toto, the team principal of the Mercedes F1 team.
Hamilton said he hoped Wolff’s decision to take her complaint out of the governing body’s jurisdiction and into law courts would force greater transparency and accountability from the FIA.
“Firstly, I’m incredibly proud of Susie,” the Mercedes driver said. “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.
“I love that she’s taken it out of this [F1] world, because there is a real lack of accountability here, within this sport, within the FIA, things that are happening behind closed doors, there is no transparency, there is really no accountability, and we need that.
“I think the fans need that. How can you trust the sport and what is happening here if you don’t have that?
“Hopefully this stand that she’s taking now will create change, will have a positive impact, and especially for women.”
George Russell, Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate who is also a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, agreed that greater transparency…
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