MELBOURNE – Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has applauded Susie Wolff for taking legal action against the governing FIA, saying he hopes it will improve transparency and accountability in the sport.
Susie, one of the top women in motor racing and wife of Mercedes Formula One boss Toto, said on March 20 she had filed a criminal complaint in France against the FIA for a conflict-of-interest inquiry in 2023.
The head of the all-female F1 Academy support series announced her move after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem was cleared of alleged interference in two races last season.
In the lead-up to the Australian Grand Prix on March 24, Mercedes driver Hamilton said he was incredibly proud of Susie and described her as brave for standing up in a world where “people are often silenced”.
“I love that she’s taking it out of this world – fight it from outside because there is a real lack of accountability here, within this sport, the FIA, things that are happening behind closed doors,” he said on March 21.
“There is no transparency, there is really no accountability. We need that. I think the fans need that. How can you trust the sport and what is happening here?”
The FIA did not provide immediate comment to Reuters about the legal action or Hamilton’s comments.
The body had announced in December an inquiry into the Wolffs following a magazine report that a team boss had received confidential information from an employee of the commercial rights holder Formula One Management.
Susie, who reports to Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali, said the allegations appeared “rooted in intimidatory and misogynistic behaviour, and focused on my marital status rather than my abilities”.
The inquiry was swiftly shelved after all nine other teams issued statements in support of her.
Hamilton added that he hoped the legal move could create change in Formula One, especially for women.
“It’s 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,” he said.
Susie’s legal step came as the FIA sought to draw a line under whistle-blower claims about Ben Sulayem’s behaviour.
The Emirati had faced accusations he sought to prevent circuit approval ahead of the showcase Las Vegas Grand Prix last season and had allegedly interfered in the outcome of the Saudi Arabian race in Jeddah.
The FIA said its ethics committee had cleared him unanimously after an independent investigation that took 30 days.
“There was no evidence to substantiate allegations of interference of any kind involving the FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem,” it said.
Ben Sulayem was elected in 2021 and his presidency has been marked by clashes with Formula One.
Formula One Management holds the 100-year commercial rights to the championship, starting from 2001, while the FIA is the sanctioning body responsible for rules and safety as well as technical staff. REUTERS
