Lewis Hamilton Takes Shot at FIA President; Calls for More Transparency with F1 Leaders

• Thursday, F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff revealed that she has launched a criminal complaint against motorsport’s governing body, the FIA.

• Lewis Hamilton supports Wolff and said that there needs to be more transparency in the sport.

• Elsewhere on Thursday at Albert Park, Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz says he will return to competitive action on Friday.

Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton says the sport needs greater transparency and accountability, amid a rash of off-track controversies.

The opening weeks of the season were dominated by the fallout from a complaint filed against Red Bull team principal Christian Horner by a female colleague, and the consequent goings on at Red Bull.

On Thursday F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff revealed that she has launched a criminal complaint against motorsport’s governing body, the FIA.

Speaking on Thursday, ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton said he was “incredibly proud” of Wolff and that she was “brave” and “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.

“I love that she’s taken it out of this world, fighting it from the outside, because there is a real lack of accountability here, within this sport, within the FIA, things that are happening behind closed doors, there is no transparency, there is really no accountability, and we need that. I think the fans need that.

“How can you trust the sport and what is happening here if you don’t have that? 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.”

Hamilton was likely referring to the situation at Red Bull Racing, where the individual who filed the complaint against Christian Horner has been suspended on full pay, and is understood to have lodged an appeal against the complaint being dismissed.

When a question was put to the Mercedes drivers on whether Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA president since December 2021, had their backs, Hamilton quipped “he never has.”

Meanwhile, teammate George Russell, who is a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, reiterated the desire for transparency.

“As drivers, we have a role within the teams, and you trust that the leaders in this sport have the best interests as their heart rather than their own interests,” said Russell.

“I think it goes back to the transparency side of things. If things are transparent and we see the outcome of these cases, we all have a chance to judge for ourself with all of the facts and figures in front of us.

“But when we don’t have the facts and figures, and there is no transparency, you always think there’s something being hidden.

“That’s why I think it’s so important for the sport now, as Lewis said, to send the right message to everybody who is supporting Formula 1, watching Formula 1, wants to be involved in Formula 1, that things aren’t just swept under the carpet.”

Carlos Sainz Expected Back

Elsewhere on Thursday at Albert Park, Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz says he will return to competitive action on Friday—just 14 days after suffering from appendicitis.

Sainz was ruled out of competition in Jeddah and replaced by 18-year-old reserve driver Ollie Bearman, who classified seventh.

Sainz said that “I’m confident I can jump in the car and do well.” He adds he has undertaken a “very strong recovery plan” across the last two weeks, focusing on restoring his health rather than on training or simulator duties.

“Will I be at 100%? For sure not. It’s not a lie, 100% would mean spend 10 days training, doing simulator, I haven’t done that over the last 10 days, I’ve just been focused on recovering.”

Sainz will assess his situation after Friday’s practice sessions; Ferrari has Bearman, who is in Australia to compete in Formula 2, on standby once more.