At the FIA award ceremony in Baku, Lewis Hamilton showed his sportsmanship despite finishing third in the championship, thanking his rival Max Verstappen.
Accepting his trophy for third place, Hamilton took the opportunity to congratulate Red Bull Racing and specifically mentioned Verstappen and Sergio Perez for their remarkable performances throughout the season.
Recognizing the incredible work done by Red Bull, he particularly highlighted Max Verstappen’s impeccable season and acknowledged the high standards set by the Dutch driver and his team.
Hamilton expressed confidence in Mercedes’ ability to close the performance gap and highlighted the ongoing hard work to come back stronger next season.
Grateful for the resilience of his team, he praised them for not giving up despite the performance of the car, which faced challenges early in the season. But despite his polite comments to his rivals, Hamilton didn’t mince his words when he spoke to the FIA.
In a press conference before the ceremony, he criticized the governing body for questioning the integrity of prominent figures in the sport, particularly in relation to the investigation into Toto and Susie Wolff.
He found the actions of the FIA unacceptable, especially without substantial evidence and only with an after-the-fact apology.
Hamilton also took the opportunity to express concern over the choice of Azerbaijan as the venue for the celebration, questioning the FIA’s commitment to sustainability.
Recognizing the beauty of Baku, he wondered if the decision to hold the event there was consistent with ongoing sustainability efforts, considering the environmental impact of the many participants flying in.
Hamilton thought that holding the party in Paris, where the FIA headquarters are located, would be a more environmentally friendly option.
Overall, Hamilton’s remarks at the FIA awards ceremony reflected both his sportsmanship on the track and his willingness to address critical issues in the Formula 1 community, including concerns about diversity, integrity and honesty.
