Lewis Hamilton: “Racist element” in the FIA ​​boss’s “rapper” comments

Lewis Hamilton has raised concerns about FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem comparing Formula One drivers swearing on team radio to “rappers”, saying Ben Sulayem’s comments contained a “racist element”.

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Ben Sulayem said that the FIA ​​plans to crack down on the use of foul language on team radio, including removing offensive language from F1 broadcasts.

“We have to differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music,” Ben Sulayem told Motorsport.

“We're not rappers, you know. They say the F-word how many times a minute? We're not there. That's them and we're [us].”

When asked about the comments, Hamilton said he understood the move to limit the swear words for the benefit of a younger audience, but disagreed with the comparison.

“I don't like the way he expresses himself. His statement about rappers is very stereotypical,” Hamilton said.

“Considering that most rappers are black, that's quite an indication that we're not like them.”

“So I think that's the wrong choice of words, there's a racist element to it. But as I said, I agree with the fact that I think [it needs] clean up a bit.”

ESPN has contacted the FIA ​​for comment.

In March this year, amid controversy surrounding the umbrella organization, Hamilton said Ben Sulayem never had his support.

The comments followed investigations into Ben Sulayem by the FIA's compliance department, which cleared the FIA ​​president of any wrongdoing, as well as news that F1 Academy boss Susie Wolff had taken legal action against the FIA ​​over a short-lived investigation into an alleged conflict of interest between Wolff and her husband Toto.

The FIA's plans to restrict swearing over team radio were a major topic of conversation during drivers' media appearances ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend.

Commenting on this tougher approach, Hamilton said that younger drivers were less likely to censor their own language, but that he himself was now making an effort not to use swear words.

“When I was 22, I didn't think about it that much. It was more like your emotions just ran high and you said what was on your mind, forgetting how many people were listening and how many kids were listening, all that stuff,” Hamilton said.

“I agree in the sense that you have to listen to some of the younger drivers and that they just don’t get it yet.

“And at some point they probably will. I'm sure if there are penalties for it, people will stop doing it. I don't know if that's necessary. I definitely think there's a little bit too much of it.

“It's good to have some emotions. We're not robots. And I have control over that because over 2,000 people are working to get me to this position and to be where I am.

“I have a lot of supporters of all ages. It's not about me. And even though I'm having this experience on the track, what I do and say impacts all the people who sacrifice time with their families and give absolutely everything to have this privileged position and opportunity.

“I think it's just about understanding that and directing the aggression somewhere else. That's what I'm trying to do.”