Lewis Hamilton slammed “an actual lack of accountability” in motorsport on Thursday and threw his assist behind Susie Wolff, who has taken authorized motion in opposition to governing physique the FIA.
The Daily Express additionally confirmed the information on Thursday.
Wolff, director of System One’s academy collection for aspiring feminine drivers, revealed Wednesday she lodged a felony criticism within the French courts over a controversial inquiry into her conduct final yr.
Wolff and her husband, Mercedes System One group principal Toto Wolff, have been the topic of an investigation into an alleged battle of curiosity.
The probe arose in December after {a magazine} report claimed that different group principals have been involved Toto Wolff was benefiting from info shared by his spouse.
However the FIA ended its investigation simply two days after saying its compliance division was trying into the matter.
Each System One and Mercedes strongly rejected the accusations and made clear their frustration with the FIA’s dealing with of the matter.
‘Male dominated sport’ – Lewis Hamilton
“I’m extremely happy with Susie, she is so courageous and stands for such nice values, she is such a frontrunner,” stated Mercedes’ seven-time world champion Hamilton forward of the Australian Grand Prix.
“In a world the place usually individuals are silent, for her to be standing up sends such an excellent message and I really like that she is taking it out of this (F1) world, as a result of there’s a actual lack of accountability throughout the sport and the FIA.
“Issues occur behind closed doorways, there is no such thing as a transparency, there actually is not any accountability.”
In a social media publish on the time the allegations arose, Susie Wolff branded them as “intimidatory and misogynistic”.
“There has nonetheless not been any transparency or accountability in relation to the conduct of the FIA and its personnel on this matter,” she stated on social media Wednesday.
“I really feel greater than ever it is very important get up, name out improper behaviour and ensure individuals are held to account. While some might imagine silence absolves them from accountability – it doesn’t.”
Hamilton stated he hoped her stance would result in change.
“It’s nonetheless a male dominated sport. We live in a time the place the message is should you file a criticism, you may be fired,” he stated.
“And that may be a horrible narrative to be projected to the world, particularly after we discuss inclusivity.”
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse