At the FIA awards ceremony in Baku, Azerbaijan, seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton has called out the organisation for their treatment of Susie Wolff, F1 Academy Managing Director.
It all started on Tuesday when the FIA released a statement saying their FIA Compliance Department was investigating “the allegation of information of a confidential nature being passed to an F1 team principal from a member of FOM personnel. The FIA Compliance Department is looking in to the matter”.
After stataments from Susie Wolff, Mercedes and F1 in response to a rather generic statement from the FIA, the other nine teams involved in the sport denied making any complaints to the FIA as they showed a unified front and their support for Wolff.
By Thursday evening, the FIA declared no active investigation was taking place.
After Toto and Susie Wolff released further statements earlier on Friday, Lewis Hamilton was asked about it at the awards ceremony held by the FIA in Azerbaijan this evening.
Photo Credit: Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team
Hamilton declared it “unacceptable” to question the integrity of Susie Wolff without a shred of evidence to go with their allegations.
“It has been a challenging week, I think, a disappointing week, really, to see the governing body of our sport has [sought] to question the integrity of one of the most incredible female leaders we’ve ever had in our sport, [in] Susie Wolff, without questioning, without any evidence.
“That’s just unacceptable.”
While Hamilton praised people within the FIA for the work they’ve been doing as the sport attempts to modernise itself in a world full of change, the British legend appeared to take a not-so-subtle shot at FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem over his leadership of the sport.
“It seems that there are certain individuals in the leadership within the FIA that every time we try and make a step forward, they’re trying to pull us back, and that has to change.
“This is a global sport, and we have such an incredible opportunity and responsibility to be leaders of change.
“As we’re traveling to all those countries around the world, we have a responsibility to make sure that we’re pushing in the right direction.
“I do want to acknowledge that there are a lot of people that are doing great work.”
The 103-time Grand Prix winner believes changes need to be made in order for things to be better.
“But we need to make some changes to make sure that we’re all pushing in the right direction.”
Before things kicked off in Baku, the FIA released a statement saying Mohammed Ben Sulayem would be taking on a reduced role at the Gala as he had a fall earlier in the week and suffered a concussion.
“Several days ago the president took ill and suffered a fall and concussion.
“He received care in hospital and will make a full recovery.
“He would like to thank the medical staff and Mr Anar Alakbarov and his team for their help, and to all those in the FIA family that have sent their well wishes.”
Photo credit: FIA
