Formula 1 icon Lewis Hamilton has accused FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem of making racially charged comments. The controversy stems from Ben Sulayem’s remarks about reducing the use of expletive language in F1 broadcasts, which he compared to the language often heard in rap music.
Ben Sulayem, in an interview with Autosport, commented ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix:
“We have to differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music.
“We’re not rappers, you know. They say the F-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That’s them and we are [us].”
Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes walks in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 19, 2024 in Singapore, Singapore. Lewis Hamilton is unhappy with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s recent comments.
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Hamilton, while agreeing with the sentiment of reducing expletives used by drivers, criticized Ben Sulayem’s choice of words as perpetuating negative stereotypes. He commented, as quoted in the same report from Autosport:
“I don’t like how he expressed it. Saying that rappers is very stereotypical and if you think about it, most rappers are black and that really kind of points it towards, when it says: ‘We are not like them’. So I think those are the wrong choice of words. There is a racial element there.”
The debate over language in F1 broadcasts isn’t new. Instances like Max Verstappen’s swearing during a live TV press conference and Kevin Magnussen’s provocative comments after a race ban have raised concerns about the drivers’ language. Similarly, Carlos Sainz has used expletives in press briefings. These incidents have prompted the FIA to consider stricter regulations to maintain professionalism in public broadcasts.
The seven-time champion acknowledged the importance of reducing swearing, especially given the sport’s broad audience, which includes children.
“When I was 22, I did not think of it as much and it was more about your emotions just firing and saying whatever comes to mind and forgetting however many people are listening and kids listening, and all those kinds of things.
“So I agree in that sense. You know, you listen to some of the other drivers and they have not got it yet, so at some stage they probably will.
“I am sure if you put penalties for it, people will stop it and maybe that’s…I don’t know whether that’s needed but I definitely think there is a bit too much of it [swearing].”
While Hamilton understands the need for curbing foul language, he also insisted there is also the need for drivers to express themselves.
“It’s good to have some emotion, we are not robots.
“For me, the way I control it, there is over 2,000 people working towards me having this position and being where I am.
“Obviously I’ve got a lot of followers of all ages, but it’s not about me. And even though I’m having this experience on track, what I do and say affects all those people who are sacrificing time with their families and giving everything for me to have this privileged position and opportunity.
“I think it is just understanding that and putting the aggression somewhere else. That’s what I try and do.”
