Lewis Hamilton has voiced dissatisfaction with statements made by the president of Formula One’s regulatory body, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, that F1 drivers should not curse like rappers, citing the “racial element” implied by Ben Sulayem’s choice of words.

In the lead-up to this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, FIA president Ben Sulayem expressed alarm about drivers swearing on team radio, despite the fact that messages are aired on a delayed basis, so expletives are bleeped out. “We have to differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music,” he told me. “We aren’t rappers, you know. How many times do they say the f-word every minute? We’re not on that. That’s them; we’re [us].”

Hamilton, who has had multiple encounters with Ben Sulayem since becoming president in December 2021, believed his statements reflected a racial bias. “I don’t agree with what he said or how he articulated it. “The term ‘rappers’ is very stereotypical,” Hamilton added. “If you think about it, most rappers are black, which says, ‘We are not like them.’” “Those are the wrong words, and there is a racial element there.”

Ben Sulayem has been approached for comment on Hamilton’s statements. His presidency has been marred by a number of controversies. He was chastised for previous sexist remarks on his own website, such as claiming he did “not like women who think they are smarter than men, for they are not in truth,” which the FIA claimed did not reflect his personal opinions.

He was censured by F1’s owners for questioning the sport’s valuation in 2023, prompting Formula One Management to send a legal letter warning that the comments could result in “serious regulatory consequences”.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem had previously been cited as saying, “I don’t like women who think they are smarter than men, because they are not in truth.” Photo: Eric Alonso/DPPI/Shutterstock.
More recently, after the FIA opened an inquiry against Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team leader, and his wife, Susie Wolff, managing director of F1 Academy, for allegedly sharing sensitive information, neither party was found to have a case to answer. However, the FIA provided no explanation for the rationale for its inquiry, its results, or how it reached its conclusions. Hamilton indicated that he has never supported the FIA president, citing a lack of responsibility and transparency inside the corporation.

Hamilton was not the only one who criticized the president’s recent remarks; Lando Norris and Max Verstappen also slammed Ben Sulayem.

At a news conference in Singapore, Verstappen, the world champion, described his car as being “fucked” at the last round in Baku and was warned to mind his language by the moderator, prompting him to disregard efforts to calm drivers’ emotions.

The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days, plus a preview of the weekend’s activities.

“I couldn’t even speak the f-word; it isn’t that horrible, right? I mean, the car wasn’t working, it was broken, and then, [it’s] excuse me for the language,” he explained. “Come on, what are we? Five-year-olds? Six-year-olds? Even if a five- or six-year-old is watching, they will eventually swear, even if their parents refuse or do not allow it.

His opinion was supported by his title opponent Norris, who stated that limiting team radio or punishments would deprive spectators of the “rawness of drivers and their thoughts and feelings”.

“When I listen to it, I find it cool and I find it exciting,” he told me. “People don’t only use beautiful, polite, soft language. So, if that’s what you’re looking for, I’m sure there are plenty of other sports and stuff to watch.”