- Lewis Hamilton criticized the ‘terrible narrative’ he sees in F1
- Mercedes driver lamented how women are suspended if they complain
- He expressed support for Susie Wolff to take legal action against the FIA.
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Lewis Hamilton today launched a scathing attack on Formula 1, claiming it discriminates against women.
The seven-time world champion also revealed he does not support the most powerful man in world motorsport, Mohammed bin Sulayem.
In a strident speech in Melbourne ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, he backed Susie Wolff, the wife of his Mercedes boss Toto. She has initiated criminal proceedings in France against the FIA, the governing body headed by Ben Sulayem.
Susie Wolff, 41, is angry at being the subject of an FIA investigation into a potential conflict of interest, given her position as head of the F1 Academy, run and owned by owners of the sport, Liberty Media, and her husband’s involvement as an F1 team principal.
The issue was investigated and rejected by the FIA Compliance Department in December.
Lewis Hamilton has denounced the “terrible” conditions in F1 where “filing a complaint” results in a woman being fired.
Her comments come after Red Bull suspended an employee who accused Christian Horner of “inappropriate behavior”.
Hamilton, 39, said: “I’m incredibly proud of Susie. I think she is so courageous and holds such great values. She is a true leader in a world where people are often silenced. Her standing up sends such a good message.
Apparently referring to the woman at the center of the Red Bull scandal, who complained of alleged harassment by team principal Christian Horner – an accusation of which he was cleared in an internal investigation – Hamilton added: “It’s still a male-dominated sector. sport.
“We live in a time where the message is that if you complain, you will be fired (the women in the Red Bull saga were suspended with full pay), and that is a terrible narrative to project to the world .” , especially when we talk about inclusivity in sport. We need to make sure we stay true to core values.
“I like that she took it out of that (F1) world because there is a real lack of accountability here in this sport within the FIA.” Things happen behind closed doors. There is no transparency, and we need it.
“The fans need this. How can you trust the sport and what’s happening here if you don’t have that? ‘
Hopefully the stance she is taking now will create change and have a positive impact, especially for women.
Hamilton has expressed support for Susie Wolff’s legal action against the FIA after investigating what they called a “conflict of interest” last year.
Hamilton said he hoped Wolff’s action “would have a positive impact, and particularly for women” in the sport.
On Wednesday, Wolff wrote on social media: “I can confirm that I personally filed a criminal complaint in the French courts on March 4 regarding the statements made about me by the FIA last December.”
“There has still been no transparency or accountability regarding the conduct of the FIA and its staff in this matter.