Lewis Hamilton expressed his frustration with the FIA investigation into Susie Wolff, following a legal complaint made by the F1 Academy Director against the sport’s governing body. Formula 1 has recently been involved in several controversies. The FIA previously conducted an investigation into the F1 Academy Management Director due to a potential conflict of interest with her husband, who is the head of the Mercedes F1 team. The sport’s governing body cleared the couple of any wrongdoing, although specific details of the allegations were not disclosed. Susie Wolff has now taken legal action against the FIA, and Hamilton issued a warning to the sport about its handling of the matter.
Hamilton criticized the lack of transparency and accountability of the FIA during the investigation. The seven-time world champion highlighted the fact that F1 and motorsport, in general, are still predominantly male environments. Additionally, the 39-year-old driver subtly criticized Red Bull for suspending an employee who had accused Christian Horner of inappropriate behavior. Hamilton suggested that nowadays, people would be fired for making a complaint. He expressed concern about the negative impact this could have on the global narrative. F1 is considered the pinnacle of motorsport, with millions of fans worldwide. The current situation within the sport reflects negatively on its inclusivity, especially in a field already dominated by men. Hamilton urged F1 to stay true to its core values.
Hamilton’s teammate, George Russell, also criticized the sport’s governing body. The 26-year-old driver emphasized that drivers, fans, and team members trust the sport’s leaders to make decisions in the best interest of the grid, and not in their own personal interests. However, when no information about an investigation is made public, it raises suspicions of possible hidden agendas. Russell stressed the importance of F1 sending the right message to every fan of the sport, ensuring that nothing is swept under the rug, regardless of the circumstances.
The unfolding of this saga in the coming days will be intriguing. The FIA has not yet commented on Wolff’s legal complaint, but it is evident that the governing body will be compelled to respond sooner or later, either through statements to the press or in a court of law. Therefore, it remains to be seen how the FIA will handle the entire situation in the coming days.
