Lewis Hamilton’s Controversial Snub at Bahrain Grand Prix Shocks FIA President
A bombshell moment unfolded at the Bahrain Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton, the Ferrari driver, created a social media frenzy by snubbing FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Despite Hamilton’s remarkable performance in the F1 2025 season, finishing fifth after starting ninth, all eyes were on the unexpected interaction between the two prominent figures in the sport.
The incident took place after Ferrari unveiled their first upgrade of the year, propelling Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc to impressive finishes. As Ben Sulayem, the current FIA president seeking re-election, stood outside the FIA garage at the end of the race, a hidden clip captured the tense moment between him and Hamilton.
In the clip, Ben Sulayem extends his arms for an embrace, but Hamilton casually brushes past him, choosing to give a mere tap on the side. This gesture, or lack thereof, has reignited the feud between Hamilton and Ben Sulayem, with Hamilton previously criticizing the FIA president’s leadership and calling for more transparency and accountability in the sport.
Hamilton’s public disapproval of Ben Sulayem’s regime is well-documented, with the seven-time World Champion highlighting issues of governance and transparency within the FIA. The rift between the two escalated when Ben Sulayem made controversial remarks comparing F1 drivers to rap artists, drawing accusations of racial insensitivity from Hamilton.
Moreover, Ben Sulayem’s leadership team suffered a blow as Robert Reid, the FIA’s deputy president for sport, resigned citing a departure from core principles of transparency and collaborative leadership within the organization. Reid’s departure marks another high-profile exit from the FIA in recent months, further underscoring the turmoil within the governing body.
As the tension between Hamilton and Ben Sulayem continues to simmer, the dynamic between one of F1’s biggest stars and the head of its governing body adds a compelling layer to the unfolding drama in the world of motorsport. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the FIA presidential election looms and the F1 season progresses.
