Last Updated on March 22 2024, 12:26 am

Hamilton slams FIA. While Red Bull have been stealing all the headlines, both on and off track, the FIA has been navigating through a particularly tricky time too. Accusations had been made that president Mohamed Ben Sulayem had attempted to fix certain Grand Prix results.

The matter was referred to Formula One ethics committee who revealed the results of their investigation this week. “After reviewing the results of the inquiries, the Ethics Committee were unanimous in their determination that there was no evidence to substantiate allegations of interference of any kind involving the FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem,” the committee said in its Wednesday ruling.

 

 

 

FIA clear president 

It added that “allegations against the FIA president were unsubstantiated and strong evidence beyond any reasonable doubt was presented to support the determination of the FIA Ethics Committee.”

Ben Sulayem was also accused of attempting to interfere with the FIA track licensing process with him trying to ensure Las Vegas was not approved. He was acquitted of this charge too.

The FIA are apparently dealing with a complaint now made to them over the Red Bull Racing saga, although they refused to confirm or deny such a complaint existed.

This week the FIA suffered another blow to its public image as Susie Wolff confirmed she had filed legal action against F1’s governing body in a Parisian court on March 4th. The matter surrounds rumours from one F1 boss that leaks were occurring between Toto Wolff and his wife Susie who works for FOM.

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Hamilton blunt criticism of Ben Sulayem

The FIA stated they were investigating the matter but within 48 hours they issued a statement claiming all was fine. The Wolff’s reacted furiously, threatening this was not the last of the matter and now the matter will be tried in public.

Lewis Hamilton has now issued a damning verdict on the FIA claiming he has “never” had any confidence in the president of the organisation. Speaking ahead of the Australian GP, Hamilton has criticised the male dominating culture in F1 and praised Susie Wolff for standing up for herself over the investigation over alleged breach of confidence.

When the law suit was raised, Lewis Hamilton was asked if Ben Sulayem, who presided over the fall out from his 2021 lost championship, was the right person to be running the FIA and whether he enjoyed the British driver’s backing.

“He never has,” Hamilton stated bluntly. The seven-time world champion continued expressing his disappointment with how the sport is presently dealing with a number of issues which may be damaging to F1.

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“Lack of accountability” in F1

“There is a real lack of accountability here, within this sport, within the FIA,” he said. “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?”

Of course Hamilton is casting aspersions in Red Bull’s direction who also have been accused of a lack of transparency throughout their internal complaints process. When Susie Wolff was under investigation briefly she described the behaviour at the FIA as “insulting” and “rooted in intimidatory and misogynistic behaviour.

There are echoes of this in the female complaint against Christian Horner, “controlling” was something he was found innocent of following a complaint to the Human Resources function within the team. 

“I’m incredibly proud of Susie,” Hamilton added. “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.

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‘Complain…. and you’ll be fired’

With Susie’s complaint being an external legal action which means the FIA will be held to account by a third party and not its own internal procedures. Hamilton believes this may hold the key to further change he argues is required.

“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,” was the clarion call from the seven times world champion.

Of course Hamilton also refers to the fact that the female Red Bull accuser has now been suspended following Christian Horner being cleared of misconduct. Yet his sweeping comments hardly cover the real possibility that maybe the accuser acted improperly and it is she in fact who have dragged Red Bull Racing’s name through the mud unnecessarily.

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FIA wait for Red Bull to complete appeal

There is an alleged complaint currently being assessed by the FIA, believed to be related to the Horner matter. F1 observers are waiting with baited breath to see if there are any grounds for Christian Horner to be charged for somehow ‘bringing the sport into disrepute.’

Yet it is likely the FIA will defer to the Red Bull appeal process before taking any further action. The results of the second internal investigation may well reveal the more about the parties who were involved in trying to take down the longest standing F1 boss in the paddock.

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Adrian Newey to Ferrari

Adrian Newey, mastermind behind Red Bull Racing, and Scuderia Ferrari are rumoured to be courting each other. What many saw as a distant dream is now edging closer to reality, with talks progressing on a potentially ground-breaking partnership. This alliance, combining Newey’s unparalleled design skills with Ferrari’s storied heritage, hints at a future that could redefine the sport’s landscape.

Long regarded by many as a pipe dream, the potential partnership now appears to be edging closer to reality, with reports suggesting that negotiations between the celebrated designer and the iconic Italian team are not only underway, but progressing…. READ MORE