Anthony Hamilton, the father of Ferrari driver and seven-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, is set to secure a new role with Formula 1’s governing body the FIA.
PlanetF1.com understands that Mr Hamilton has been working privately alongside FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem over recent months in an advisory position, playing a key role in the FIA’s Young Driver Development Pathway (YDDP) scheme.
Lewis Hamilton’s father set to secure FIA role
Additional reporting by Thomas Maher
Mr Hamilton is set to appear at the official launch of the YDDP alongside Ben Sulayem in Macau, China, next month.
It is said that Mr Hamilton, who is encouraged by the direction Ben Sulayem is taking the FIA, has impressed in the role, leading to talks over an official role within motorsport’s governing body going forward.
The news of Mr Hamilton’s burgeoning relationship with Ben Sulayem is likely to come as a surprise, with his son a vocal critic of the current FIA regime over recent years.
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Hamilton remarked at last year’s Australian Grand Prix that Ben Sulayem, who was elected president in December 2021, has “never” had his support.
Hamilton, who was driving for the Mercedes team at the time, said: “There is a real lack of accountability here, within this sport, within the FIA.
“There are things that are happening behind closed doors, there is no transparency, there is really no accountability and we need that.
“The fans need that. How can you trust the sport and what is happening here if you don’t have that?”
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Hamilton also took exception to Ben Sulayem likening F1 drivers to rap artists after the FIA mounted a clampdown on drivers swearing at last September’s Singapore Grand Prix.
He said: “Saying ‘rappers’ is very stereotypical. If you think about it, most rappers are black.
“So when it says: ‘We are not like them’, those are the wrong choice of words.
“There is a racial element there.”
Hamilton has suffered an underwhelming start to the season with Ferrari following his high-profile move from Mercedes, finishing no higher than fifth across the first six races of F1 2025.
The 40-year-old has had more joy in the sprint format, winning the mini race in China before finishing third in Miami earlier this month.
This weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, held at the historic Imola circuit, will see Hamilton race in Italy in Ferrari colours for the first time.
He previously won at Imola in 2020, weeks before sealing a joint-record seventh Drivers’ title.
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