Lewis Hamilton has unleashed a stinging rebuke against FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, accusing him of injecting “racial elements” into his remarks about curbing swearing in Formula 1. The controversy erupted after Ben Sulayem called on Formula One Management (FOM) to limit the amount of foul language broadcast during races, urging drivers to act more responsibly on the radio.
While Red Bull’s Max Verstappen dismissed the FIA’s approach as misguided, arguing that it’s up to FOM to decide what gets aired, Hamilton’s response took a different tone. Although he agreed that expletives have become too prevalent in F1, the seven-time world champion was infuriated by Ben Sulayem’s comments comparing drivers to “rappers.”
“There’s a lot to unpack here,” Hamilton told the media. “I agree with controlling the language on the air, especially considering the young fans watching. But when Ben Sulayem says drivers are ‘not rappers,’ he’s stepping into dangerous territory. The implication that rappers, often Black, are somehow less respectable smacks of racial stereotyping. It’s an unnecessary, divisive comment.”
Hamilton, at 39 the elder statesman of the grid, admitted that managing the adrenaline rush inside the cockpit is a challenge that every driver faces. However, he criticized the FIA President’s choice of words, stating that they perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
“Saying we’re not rappers is a poor choice of words,” Hamilton continued. “It points towards a deeper racial bias, suggesting that we are not like ‘them,’ as if there’s something wrong with being like ‘them.’ I don’t think that was the intent, but words matter. It’s disappointing to see that kind of language from a figure in his position.”
Hamilton’s condemnation comes as the FIA continues to grapple with how to manage the raw, unfiltered emotions that are often broadcast during races. The British driver, who has long been an advocate for equality and social justice, said that while the sport needs to maintain professionalism, the approach to implementing changes must be mindful and inclusive.
“We are not robots; emotions will flare in the heat of competition,” Hamilton noted. “I’ve had to learn how to channel that energy, knowing that I have thousands of people behind me and millions watching. Every word matters, and as drivers, we have a responsibility. But that responsibility goes both ways, and it’s important that those in leadership also set a respectful tone.”
Hamilton’s statements have once again highlighted the ongoing tension within F1’s governing bodies as they navigate the balance between maintaining the sport’s integrity and addressing the larger issues of representation and equality. As the debate continues, the world watches to see how the FIA will respond to the pointed criticisms from one of its biggest stars.
