Seven-time Lewis Hamilton has criticised the International Automobile Federation (FIA) for lacking accountability in the wake of multiple scandals that have rocked the governing body in recent times.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem was accused by a whistleblower of demanding the overturning of a penalty to Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso at last year’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last year. He also asked officials not to pass the Las Vegas track fit for racing ahead of last year’s inaugural race.
The FIA also launched an inquiry last year into a potential conflict of interest between Sussie Wolff who heads the F1 Academy and her husband Toto who is Mercedes team principal.
The latest controversy rocking F1 involves Red Bull team principal Christian Horner who has been accused of inappropriate behaviour by a female colleague.
Hamilton speaking ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix stated that it is now difficult to have faith in FIA.
“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,” the Mercedes driver said.
“I think the fans need that. How can you trust the sport and what is happening here if you don’t have that?”
Responding to allegations around Horner, Hamiton said: “It is still a male-dominated sport. And we are 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.
“We need to make sure we are staying true to the core values.”
Hamilton will be hoping to get closer to the podium in Melbourne this weekend having finished seventh and ninth in the opening two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
