Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 champion, raised concerns about a recent statement made by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem regarding drivers swearing during races. Ben Sulayem had emphasized the need to differentiate between motorsport and rap music, suggesting that drivers should refrain from swearing on the radio as it is not akin to the behavior expected in the sport. Hamilton expressed discomfort with the president's remarks, pointing out that the reference to rappers was stereotypical and carried racial undertones, given that most rappers are Black.
Hamilton, who is the only Black driver in F1, acknowledged the need to address excessive swearing but also highlighted the importance of showing emotion and not being robotic in the sport. The FIA has not yet responded to the controversy surrounding Ben Sulayem's comments.
This is not the first instance of disagreement between Hamilton and Ben Sulayem. Previously, they clashed over the FIA president's proposal to ban drivers from wearing jewelry while racing. Hamilton had openly stated his lack of support for Ben Sulayem in the past, particularly during a legal dispute involving Susie Wolff, the director of the F1 Academy.
Defending champion Max Verstappen weighed in on the issue, suggesting that some swearing over the radio could be understandable given the high-pressure environment F1 drivers operate in. Verstappen proposed that the broadcasting of such messages, rather than the swearing itself, was the primary concern and recommended not airing those communications to the public.
As the debate continues within the F1 community, the focus remains on finding a balance between maintaining professionalism and allowing drivers to express themselves authentically during races.
