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By Alex Harrington
Sports Contributing Writer
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Former F1 driver and commentator David Coulthard has claimed that seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton needs to "lead by example" in calls for transparency from the FIA. Coulthard emphasised the importance of these calls being more consistent from the British driver, and others, rather than only being made amidst controversies.
The British driver has always been eager to use his platform to champion causes he believes in, including increasing diversity and inclusivity within motorsport. This commitment has not waned during recent scrutiny within Formula One.
Amidst controversies involving Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and the investigation into FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff has now filed a criminal complaint against the FIA. Wolff's actions come in the wake of the FIA launching an investigation into her and her husband, Mercedes chief Toto Wolff, towards the end of 2023 for allegedly passing confidential information. However, the investigation was quickly dropped after all nine of the other Formula One teams came forward in support, denying claims they had raised formal complaints.
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Speaking to the media ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton voiced his support for Wolff, commenting:
"I think she's so brave and she stands for such great values. She's such a leader and in a world where often people are silenced, for her to be standing up sends such a great message.
"I love that she's taken it out of this world, fighting it from the outside, because 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."
The British driver continued:
"There is really no accountability and we need that; I think the fans need that. How can you trust the sport and what is happening here if you don't have that?
"Hopefully, this stand that she's taken now will create change, will have a positive impact, and especially for women.
"It is still a male-dominated sport, and we're 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.
"So, especially when we're talking about inclusivity here in the sport, we need to make sure that we are staying true to the core values here."
Although agreeing with Hamilton's comments, former F1 driver Coulthard believes the calls for transparency should be consistent. The Scottish driver shared his thoughts on the matter during an episode of the Formula For Success Podcast:
"There's one school of thought that says: 'There's no such thing as bad publicity.'
"Whenever there's been big traumas and Formula 1 – loss of life and horrible situations like that – the audience has grown because it takes it off the back pages and puts it on the front pages.
"We've had Lewis Hamilton ask for more accountability and transparency across the board.
"I'm always a bit curious on that, actually, because it's like people ask for things whilst they're not having to do it. Lead by example in being transparent and open, rather than just doing so whenever there's a controversy."
Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan, who co-hosts the Formula For Success Podcast with Coulthard, continued the conversation by stating:
"Susie is such a competent girl. I remember seeing and being super impressed with Susie Wolff driving a Formula 1 car at Williams.
"She is a proper girl. She's feisty – she's Scottish, which probably helps being feisty – but a wonderful girl.
"So if she feels and has felt slighted reputationally and various other ways, business-wise, she has every right [to take action].
"I would promise the FIA they will need to have a very comprehensive prosecutor, lawyer, whatever, because Susie Wolff would not be going into that kind of situation unprepared."
Jordan concluded with his frustrations that the ongoing drama is taking away from the on-track action. He added:
"It's similar to Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Mr President of the FIA.
"He's been cleared [but was] under some serious hassle. The ethics committee of the FIA have cleared him. Some people are calling into question: who are the ethics committee? Who are they and what did they hear and was there any opposite side to it?
"We will never know and I don't think we should take sides. I just wish all of this just evaporated and we got on with what we want to talk about, which is hardcore motor racing."
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