Last Updated on December 10 2023, 9:09 am
The FIA Gala 2023 in Baku took place against the backdrop of Lewis Hamilton’s increasingly fraught relationship with Formula One’s governing body. His criticism of FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and the organisation’s approach to key issues such as sustainability and sportsmanship has been growing.
Indeed the tensions have been apparent, in particular since Mohammad ben Sulyman took over as FIA president. These tensions were palpable at the gala, an event designed to celebrate the pinnacle of motorsport success but marred by underlying conflicts.
Hamilton’s criticism of FIA
Hamilton’s critical stance towards Ben Sulayem’s leadership, especially after the controversial end to the 2021 championship, was a recurring theme. His frustration with the FIA’s handling of various issues, including environmental concerns, has only deepened.
The gala in Baku, a location that required extensive travel for most attendees, was in stark contrast to the environmental values that Hamilton, an advocate of sustainability, holds dear, at least publically. This contradiction likely contributed to his growing disillusionment with the organisation’s priorities. This is what Hamilton would like us to believe, but quite how this can be resolved when considering the jet-set personal lifestyle the British F1 driver likes to display on his various social media networks, is anyone’s guess.
Russell/Hamilton fundamentally disagree over new Sprint format
The 2021 Gala Boycott and Ongoing Controversies
Hamilton’s absence from the 2021 FIA Gala, following the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where he lost the title to Max Verstappen, was a significant indicator of his dissatisfaction with the FIA. The event highlighted the strained relationship between Hamilton and the governing body, setting the stage for future conflict.
Wolff teases “Never seen before details” on 2024 car
Hamilton flouting FIA rules
Hamilton’s ongoing battle with the FIA over wearing jewellery while driving a Formula One car has been a notable point of contention. This act will for fans highlight his willingness to challenge authority and stand firm on personal principles, but for many others be a sign of a flagrant disregard of the governing body for the sport.
The FIA’s strict safety regulations prohibit drivers from wearing jewellery during races, citing potential risks in medical emergencies. But Hamilton, known for his distinctive personal style, which often includes earrings and other accessories, has frequently flouted this rule. His defiance has not only been a personal choice, but a public statement that has challenged the FIA’s stance and sparked wider discussions about individual expression versus regulatory compliance in sport.
Hamilton’s stance on this issue is emblematic of his broader approach: challenging norms and using his platform to stand up for what he believes in, even if it means going against the grain of F1’s traditionalist views.
https://twitter.com/nihadcelona/status/1733593650817298709?s=20
The 2023 gala: The final straw
At the 2023 Gala, Hamilton’s frustrations seemed to reach a boiling point. According to social media posts, Hamilton reportedly gave his FIA award trophy to a stranger and then exited the event, a ‘mic drop’ moment. Whether interpreted as a gesture of disillusionment or a statement against the practices of the FIA, this act underlined his deep-seated discontent.
Hamilton’s championing of environmental causes stands in stark contrast to the FIA’s actions, particularly the decision to hold the Gala in a location that requires extensive travel. This decision, which goes against the principles of sustainability, may have contributed to Hamilton’s decision to distance himself from the ceremony.
Perhaps he had a fashion event to go to in Paris or New York?
Verstappen/Alonso ‘dream team’ could become reality
FIA and Liberty Media: A tense coexistence
The world of Formula One is witnessing a growing rift, a battle between the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), led by President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and Liberty Media, the commercial rights holders of Formula One.
This tension isn’t just about different visions for the future of the sport; it’s also a battle for control and influence. Certainly, the bizarre events at, and leading up to the Gala, are proof of this. The strange FIA ‘investigation’ of Toto and Susie Wolff is a prime manifestation hinting at a power struggle behind the scenes.
READ MORE ON THIS – Wolff launches fresh attacks against FIA
Tension brewing
The FIA, as the sport’s governing body, is responsible for the regulations, safety standards and overall integrity of Formula One. Liberty Media, on the other hand, acquired F1’s commercial rights in 2017 and has since been tasked with expanding the sport’s global appeal and profitability.
While both entities share the goal of ensuring the sport’s success, their approaches seem to currently clash. Liberty Media’s push for more races, new formats and entertainment value sometimes clashes with the FIA’s focus on tradition, regulatory stability and sporting fairness.
Albon reveals why Sargeant was so bad
Wolff and Hamilton: The Mercedes position
Adding to the complexity of this dynamic is the stance of Mercedes AMG F1, in particular team principal Toto Wolff and star driver Lewis Hamilton. Wolff has been a vocal critic of certain FIA decisions, particularly those that affect his team’s competitive interests.
His influence extends beyond the Mercedes team, Wolff certainly sees himself as an informal leader among F1 teams, often pushing for changes that benefit the sport’s competitive balance and entertainment value.
Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, sees himself as much more than a driver in recent years. He has used his platform to champion social and environmental causes, sometimes putting him at odds with the sport’s governing bodies. His advocacy of diversity and sustainability in Formula One sometimes clashes with the decisions or pace of change set by the FIA and Liberty Media.
For some, perhaps many, this view is somewhat hypocritical.
READ MORE: Wife hits back as Toto Wolff demands ‘full transparency’
MORE F1 NEWS: Hamilton openly attacks FIA president at Gala event
During the 2023 FIA Gala held in Baku, the Capital of Azerbaijan, Formula 1’s Lewis Hamilton let it be known of his discomfort with F1’s sustainability efforts, and then went on to openly attack the FIA President.
Lewis Hamilton, a champion not only on the track but also as a self-appointed environmental advocate, recently expressed his discomfort with Formula One’s approach to sustainability.
Despite the sport’s efforts, including symbolic gestures such as…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
it is more and more apparent that Mr Hamilton is too big for his own shoes. He is supposed to be a role model and instead he keep breaking rules after rules, the day he leave F1 and try to get voted into any governing bodies the better for the vast majority of fan
If only this story was remotely true. He left it with officials to be sent to the team, as confirmed by Mercedes today. “Immediately after leaving the stage, and as has been done at previous prize-givings, Lewis accepted the offer from officials for the trophy to be sent on to the team and therefore left it in their care. We can confirm he did not give the trophy to anyone’.
More fabrication to pander to the morons who fall for this crap.
I agree. He is a asshole, not worhy to be a F1 driver.
I googled what arsehole meant and there was a picture of Max and some guy called Johan something….this article is about Hamilton.
Your clear hatred for Hamilton shines through every article you write. This story is made up nonsense. It was left with an official who obviously didn’t do his job very well. But I can’t see you caring about the truth.
Good research 👍🏻
Was this written by a robot AI ? Certainly reads like it.
The man acts like a sulky schoolboy – it’s past time he hung up his boots for good … and for the good of the sport too! He fails to understand the word ‘SPORTSman’. Fine him BIG TIME – and Mercedes too for allowing all this to continue
Oh dear again, another Hamilton hater who jumps on any fabricated article.
If only this story was remotely true. He left it with officials to be sent to the team, as confirmed by Mercedes today. “Immediately after leaving the stage, and as has been done at previous prize-givings, Lewis accepted the offer from officials for the trophy to be sent on to the team and therefore left it in their care. We can confirm he did not give the trophy to anyone’.
More fabrication to pander to the morons who fall for this crap.
It seems LH is not that gentleman British media tried to sell. A spoiled child, either I have the best car to win or I drop the price. Please don’t try to twist the story of his misbehaving as a political stance for Woke social rights. The truth is bitter for Sky people, he doesn’t care about anything else but only his success.
The animosity is equal between the FIA and Hamilton – among other issues, the prejudice against him that handed the 2021 World Title to Verstappen when Lewis had won the race in Abu Dhabi.
Disillusioned is the right word to describe Lewis. It’s been interesting to watch how he handles loss, it’ll be just as interesting to see if he can retain his passion for records in a sport that everything he does shows he doesn’t like it anymore.
If environment is such a concern for Hamilton, then maybe he is on the wrong sport.
Why? They could use bio fuel and run the cars very successfully. They could also have a calendar where they don’t race in the Middle East, then Europe, then North America, then Europe, then across the Atlantic again, then back to the Middle East.
Hamilton is just abad loser and he is no more important than anyone else in F1. I just wish he’d stop with the petulant child act, he’s getting so boring.
He should stop his constant use of jet travel, only where neseary, if he is concerned with environment
How many private jets does Lewis own? How many huge homes? How does he travel?
You wouldn’t ask how many this or that if Lewis was a European white male, would you? 🤔🤔🤔
It is disgusting to see Verstappen being brought into this discussion when he has nothing to do with this article. He has been the model of decent behaviour. And another brings in his colour. These two are the perfect examples of A. perforations.
It seems it is okay to be a Verstappen hater, but a crime and a sin to dislike Hamilton. I would say that Hamilton himself is responsible for being disliked universally except by some cult members. Thankfully, a majority of F1 fans do not subscribe to his woke postures.
Similarly Vijay, it is equally disgusting to see something blamed on Lewis that he quite clearly hasn’t done. I cannot for the life of me think what it may be that propels some to do this
This entire article is littered with the truth, then a biased opinion, over and over. The writer needs to grow up and find some journalistic professionalism. Let the reader decide how to feel about the facts.