Important for Formula One to show its values, says Lewis Hamilton

JEDDAH – Lewis Hamilton on March 6 said Formula One is facing a “pivotal moment” as it battles a series of off-track controversies early in the new season.

Last weekend’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix was overshadowed by the fallout from Red Bull’s investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour by their team principal Christian Horner.

Multiple media outlets reported on March 7 that Red Bull had suspended the female staff who made the accusation against him.

On March 5, motor sport’s governing body the FIA said its compliance department was “assessing” reports that its president Mohammed Ben Sulayem told officials not to certify the track used for the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

“It doesn’t look good from the outside and it doesn’t look good from within. It’s a really important time for the sport to show and to stick to their values, holding ourselves accountable for our actions,” seven-time world champion Hamilton said ahead of the this weke’s Saudi Arabian GP in Jeddah.

“It’s a pivotal moment in terms of what we project to the world and how it’s handled – and it’s not been handled very well to this point.

“Transparency is really key. I am hoping to see some progress moving forward... I hope it is not a year that continues to go on like this, but it does highlight some of the issues we have within the sport.”

A BBC report earlier this week also said a whistleblower claimed Ben Sulayem intervened at the 2023 Saudi race as well, when Mercedes’ George Russell was briefly promoted to third after Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso was penalised because his team touched his car during a penalty pit-stop.

The penalty was then withdrawn in a review process allegedly influenced by Ben Sulayem and Alonso was reinstated into third place.

“We want to see all the facts and just have total transparency really. We all want a fair and level playing field,” said Russell.

Alonso suggested that the story had resurfaced because Red Bull’s domination was less interesting than the off-track intrigue that has also focused on potential internal problems at Red Bull.

One such issue is the relationship between Max Verstappen and Horner. The driver spoke out in defence of his father, Jos, who referenced the recently closed investigation into Horner.

Jos told the Daily Mail that “the team is in danger of being torn apart... It will explode. (Horner) is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems”.

Max, who won the season-opening race, was asked ahead of the Jeddah race whether his father regrets those remarks.

“I have not asked him that but my dad, from how I know him in go-karting, is very outspoken. He is not a liar, that’s for sure,” the Dutchman said on March 6.

Horner met Max’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, on March 4. Horner has maintained his innocence and expects to remain in his role for the rest of the season.

“I’m the driver, I don’t know what’s happening higher up... I’m contracted to focus on the performance side of things,” the three-time defending F1 world champion said, per RacingNews365.com.

“That’s what I’ll focus on this weekend. What has been said in Bahrain from everyone is to just leave that behind and, hopefully, have a quieter weekend here.

“You might agree to disagree sometimes, that is sometimes what is happening in a relationship. That’s how it goes.”

Red Bull’s issues have led to speculation that he may seek a move to Mercedes, who are looking to fill a seat with Hamilton moving to Ferrari in 2025. However, Max’s contract runs through 2028, and the winner of 18 of the past 19 races intends to fulfil it.

“No one would have ever realised that Lewis could have moved to Ferrari. You never know in general life what happens, or comes to you, or happens around you or what might influence you. So you can never say 100 per cent that’s how it’s going to be,” Max said.

“And I approach my life like that, but I also don’t think about it too much. I’m very relaxed. Like I said, I’m very happy at the team.” AFP, REUTERS