'I'm incredibly proud': Lewis Hamilton backs Susie Wolff's complaint against FIA

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has backedMercedes team principal Toto Wolff’s wife Susie Wolff after she filed a criminalcomplaint against the FIA - Formula One's governing body.

Ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton was quizzed about the situation with the Briton saying he was 'incredibly proud' of Susie for coming ahead and batting for transparency within the sport.

"Firstly, I'm incredibly proud of Susie. I think she's so brave and she stands for such great values," said Hamilton.

"She's such a leader, and in a world where often people are silenced, for her to be standing up sends such a great message. And I love that she's taken it out of this world - fighting it from outside because there is a real lack of accountability here within this sport, within the FIA, things that are happening behind closed doors," he added.

Hamilton hoped that the stance taken by her could bring changes in the setup of FIA.

"There is no transparency, there is clearly no accountability, and we need that. I think the fans needthat. How can you trust the sport and what is happening here if you don't have that?" said Hamilton.

"So hopefully this stand that she's taken now will create change, will have a positive impact, and especially for women."

Why did Wolff file the complaint?

Wolff on Wednesday (Mar 20) filed a complaint in a French court against FIA after the top body launched and later dropped an investigation in December 2023 over an alleged breach of confidentiality.

"I can confirm that I personally filed a criminal complaint in the French courts on the 4th of March in relation to the statements made about me by the FIA last December," Wolff wrote on Instagram.

The probe was initiated after a report inBusiness F1 magazine claimed that Susie, thecurrent managing director of F1 Academy had provided confidential information to her husband and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.

The report further claimed that the Mercedes boss was benefiting from information shared by his wife. A couple of days later FIA announced its compliance department was "looking into" the allegations.

However, after Wolff and Mercedes denied the allegations while other nine F1 teams denied having made the complaint, FIA dropped the investigation.

(With inputs from agencies)