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Laurence Edmondson, F1 Editor
Lewis Hamilton raised concerns over FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem comparing Formula 1 drivers swearing on team radio to “rappers,” saying there was a “racial element” to Ben Sulayem’s comments.
In an interview with Motorsport.com, Ben Sulayem said the FIA plans to clamp down on use of profanities over 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 per minute? We are not on that. That’s them and we are [us].”
When asked about the comments, Hamilton said he understood the move to cut down on swearing for the benefit of younger audiences but took issue with the comparison.
“With what he’s saying, I don’t like how he’s expressed it, saying that rappers is very stereotypical,” Hamilton said.
“You think about most rappers are Black. That really kind points it towards, when it says we’re not like them.
“So I think those are the wrong choice of words, there’s a racial element there. But as I said, I agree with the fact that I think [it needs] cleaning up a little bit.”
ESPN has approached the FIA for comment.
In March this year, amid controversies surrounding the governing body, Hamilton said Ben Sulayem has never had his support.
The comments followed investigations by the FIA’s compliance department into Ben Sulayem in which the FIA president cleared of wrongdoing, and news that F1 Academy boss Susie Wolff was taking 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 cut down swearing over team radio became a major talking point during driver media engagements ahead of this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.
Speaking about the clampdown, Hamilton said younger drivers are less likely to censor their own language but that he now makes an effort not to use profanities.
“When I was 22, I didn’t think of it as much and it was more your emotions are just firing, and you’re saying whatever comes to mind, forgetting how many people are listening and the kids that are listening, all those kinds of things,” Hamilton said.
“I agree in that sense that you listen to some of the younger drivers, and they just, they’ve not got it yet.
“And at some stage, they probably will. I’m sure if you put, like there’s penalties for it, people will stop it. I don’t know whether that’s something that’s needed. I definitely think there is a little bit too much of it.
“It’s good to have some emotions. We’re not robots. And for me, the way I control it is because there’s like over 2,000 people that are working towards me having this position and being where I am.
“I’ve got a lot of followers of all ages. It’s not about me. And even though I’m having this experience on-track, what I do and what I say affects all those people who are sacrificing time with their families, who are giving absolutely everything to have this privileged position and opportunity.
“I think it’s just understanding that, and putting the aggression somewhere else. That’s what I try and do.”