Lewis Hamilton calls for F1 drivers to have a ‘power seat’ in the sport’s future

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MIAMI — Lewis Hamilton believes Formula One drivers need a “power seat at the table” in talks with the FIA over the sport’s future direction and should have a greater say as with other sporting player unions.

Earlier this week, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the head of F1’s governing body, posted on Instagram that he was considering making changes to the controversial appendix of the International Sporting Code (ISC) that covers stewarding guidelines over driver misconduct. This was altered considerably ahead of the 2025 season.

Ben Sulayem did not specify what the changes would be, but the move follows criticism from drivers over sanctions being issued for swearing after Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc both received penalties for their language in a news conference last year. The changes to Appendix B mean such penalties can now become much more severe.

Speaking on Thursday ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Ferrari driver Hamilton said the F1 drivers’ body, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), was “very unified” and “want to be able to work closely with the FIA” on this issue and others.

“Everyone, all of us, wants to make the sport continue to work together and make the sport better. Of course, we’ve faced a bit of an uphill challenge in that communication over time,” Hamilton said.

“Ultimately, we don’t hold a power seat at the table — and that needs to change, in my opinion. If you look at other sports that have unions, that may be something that comes into play at some stage.”

While the GPDA serves as the effective trade union for the F1 drivers, and has previously been focused on improving driver safety since its formation in 1961, it serves in an advisory capacity, and membership is only voluntary for the 20 drivers on the grid.

Although there are talks between the GPDA and officials at F1 and the FIA, it has no official influence in rule-making or decisions over the sport’s future.

“We don’t want to control things, we just want to collaborate with them more and have our voices heard,” Hamilton said.

“Ultimately, people making decisions for others that have never been in that position, it’s good to have the point of view from the drivers’ perspective, and that’s all we try to give.”

Hamilton has previously criticised Ben Sulayem for making a “very stereotypical” comparison after the FIA president said drivers were “not rappers” when claiming they were swearing too much over their in-car team radio channels.

Hamilton also stated in Australia last year that Ben Sulayem “never” had his support, but is understood to have privately wanted an improved relationship and better communication with the FIA president in 2025.

The drivers do get a formal, regular meeting with FIA officials at F1 race weekends in the drivers’ briefing, which usually takes place after Friday practice sessions. This includes the race stewards, who adjudicate decisions on a race weekend, and other sporting and technical officials from the FIA.

The contents of appendix B that relate to the new guidelines for penalising driver misconduct including swear have been a regular discussion point through the start of this season —including in the race briefings.

The drivers received clarity from the FIA over what would and would not be considered subject to scrutiny (comments made over the team radios are generally acceptable, even if they include swearing) ahead of the opening race in Australia. They have continued to provide feedback to the FIA on the subject in recent races.

Hamilton’s comments in Miami came after Mercedes driver George Russell, a GPDA director, revealed he only learned of the president’s planned changes to the rulebook when he saw the post on Instagram.

In the post, Ben Sulayem wrote that his changes were based on “constructive feedback” with drivers. This includes drivers from the World Rally Championship, which is also sanctioned by the FIA and formed its own drivers’ body as a result of one of their own being issued with a $11,300 fine following the appendix B changes.

Russell added that the GPDA and the FIA had “not spoken any further” since the F1 drivers issued an open letter last year in response to the first stages of the clampdown on swearing and driver conduct, as well as asking Ben Sulayem to consider his tone and language when talking to and about drivers.

“Whether that (post) is the response, I’m not too sure,” Russell said. “It would be great if changes were made and the drivers were at least heard. I think that’s just in the best interest for the sport and ensuring that some common sense is applied to these situations.

“All of us, we can comment on it when we see the action being taken, rather than just the consideration.”

Russell said that while planned changes to the appendix detailing penalties for driver misconduct were “conceptually” a good idea, he wants to see the change being implemented.

“Obviously, we want to see these things put into action, rather than saying, ‘we’re considering things,’” Russell said.

“We all consider a lot of things. We’re clear we want changes. And, once they are implemented, then we’ll comment on it. But for the time being, it’s being considered so the words don’t mean anything until the change has been made.”

The planned revisions to Appendix B of the ISC are set to be put to the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council for approval in the coming weeks.

(Top photo: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

This news was originally published on this post .

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