Lewis Hamilton Takes Veiled Dig at Muhammed Ben Sulayem as FIA Faces Public Trial Post Susie Wolff Debacle

FIA president Ben Sulayem is under severe fire from all angles. Be it sexist remarks, the whole “investigation” saga about Susie Wolff, or even Liberty Media considering splitting away from the FIA, there is no doubt that he is under immense scrutiny. The seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton, did not really help Sulayem’s case either, as he recently took a veiled dig at the FIA boss.

While not naming names, fans considered it was pretty evident who Lewis was talking about in his statement. Now, along with the very public trial that’s going on, there is a genuine possibility of an actual trial as well, considering that the Mercedes boss has left the door open for a potential lawsuit.

Muhammed Ben Sulayem’s Public Trial

There is no doubt among those in the F1 paddock that the whole Susie Wolff incident was grossly mishandled. Based on a press release, which talked about an unnamed team principal being involved in sharing sensitive data, the FIA opened an investigation into Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and his wife. Yes, after the teams came together in solidarity with Toto Wolff, the investigation was eventually dropped. However, the damage was done. Online trolls and abuse were hurtled, and there seems to be a clear lack of transparency in how the FIA decides to conduct investigations.

Speaking on this, Lewis Hamilton took a veiled dig at the FIA boss. “Disappointing 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 and without any evidence. It’s unacceptable.”

The Brit added, “There is a constant fight to really improve diversity and inclusion within the industry. It seems there are certain individuals in the leadership of the FIA that every time we try and make a step forward they are trying to pull us back, and that has to change.“

Read More: Lewis Hamilton Backs Susie Wolff in Dismissing “Misogynistic” Confidentiality Breach With Toto Wolff

If reports are to be believed, it’s not just the seven-time world champion feeling this way. Thanks to Ben Sulayem’s, and other senior members’ actions being deemed ‘detrimental to the sport’, Liberty Media might take drastic actions as well. 

Liberty to Bid Muhammed Ben Sulayem Adieu?

This is not the first time Sulayem has been in the center of the storm in recent times. He has faced allegations of being sexist and is campaigning for Michel Masi’s return to the sport. Adding all this in, along with the whole Susie Wolff debacle, Liberty Media has seemingly had enough.

According to recent reports, “A number of sources have told BBC that if FIA president Ben Sulayem continues to act in a manner, senior figures considered to be detrimental to the sport, F1 owners Liberty Media would lose patience and consider breaking away from the FIA.”

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Naturally, this might spell disaster for the sport as a whole, which would see major restructuring if this were to happen. Only time will tell if we will be headed in this direction.