Lewis Hamilton was once at risk of being banned from the most prestigious race on the F1 calendar.
Two years ago, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem made a bold move early in his tenure, suggesting he might consider banning Hamilton from the Monaco Grand Prix if he refused to comply with the governing body’s regulations on jewellery usage in the cockpit. Even after 24 months, tensions between the two remain high.
Hamilton had strongly opposed Ben Sulayem’s fines for wearing jewellery while driving. In response, the newly-elected FIA president told the Daily Mail: “It’s up to him. There are fines that apply. It’s like speeding on the roads – you can’t stop them, but they get fined, even if it was accidental.
“You can’t make exceptions because someone is a friend. There must be one rule for everyone, and that’s it. I love jewellery. I absolutely love it. But in the car, there can be no choice. People say these rules haven’t been enforced before. Don’t ask me why. People should ask the old regime why that was the case.”
Although the jewellery dispute is no longer the central issue, other controversies involving Ben Sulayem have continued to undermine his authority with key figures in the paddock, including the seven-time world champion.
One significant controversy was the investigation into F1 Academy director Susie Wolff. This probe began after a BusinessF1 magazine article suggested that team principals were worried about the potential transfer of confidential information from Susie Wolff to her husband, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.
The investigation angered Mrs. Wolff and led to strong support from all 10 teams on the grid, who released statements distancing themselves from the reported concerns. Susie Wolff later took legal action against the FIA for their role in the embarrassing incident.
Additionally, Ben Sulayem faced a brief internal investigation following BBC reports from a whistleblower. These reports alleged that he tried to use his power to reverse Fernando Alonso’s penalty at the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and to block the certification of the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit before its inaugural race.
Though Ben Sulayem was cleared of wrongdoing in both cases, this did little to improve his standing with Hamilton. Before the Australian Grand Prix earlier this year, when asked if he still supported the FIA president, Hamilton replied, “He never has.”
