Seven-times Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has labelled the conduct of the FIA as “unacceptable” and says the governing body’s behaviour “has to change.”
Hamilton was speaking during the mandatory press conference ahead of Friday evening’s FIA Gala, which is being held in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku.
Hamilton must be present at the ceremony after finishing third in this year’s championship.
The FIA said on Tuesday that its Compliance Department was looking into suggestions that information of a confidential nature had been passed between a Formula 1 team boss and an employee of Formula 1.
While the FIA did not name the individuals it is understood it was a reference to Mercedes chief Toto Wolff and F1 Academy head Susie Wolff.
Both Wolffs, along with Mercedes and Formula 1, angrily denied the suggestions, while the following day the other nine Formula 1 teams outlined that they had not made any complaint.
On Thursday the FIA confirmed that there is no longer an ongoing investigation into any individual.
Mercedes issued a statement from Toto Wolff on Friday outlining that legal options are being explored while Susie Wolff vowed to find out who instigated the initial investigation.
“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,” said Hamilton.
“Then just saying ‘sorry’ at the end, that’s just unacceptable.
“We’ve got lot of great people in the sport that are doing amazing work, there is a constant fight to really improve diversity and inclusion within the industry, but it seems there are certain individuals within the leadership of the FIA that every time we make a step forward they’re trying to pull us back and that has to change.
“This is a global sport and we have a such an incredible opportunity and a natural responsibility to be leader of change, travelling to all countries around the world we have a responsibly to make sure we are pushing the right direction.
“I do want to acknowledge there are a lot of people doing great work but we need to make some change to make sure we are pushing in the right direction.”
Hamilton also queried the decision to hold the end-of-season gathering in Azerbaijan.
“Whilst I really like Baku, it’s really a beautiful place, [there are] questions in my mind of whether the FIA is really actually thinking about sustainability because so many people flew out here and the FIA is in Paris and it just would have been easier to stay there,” he said.
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