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New FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem says Lewis Hamilton will not be forgiven if he breached the rules by not attending the Prize-Winning Gala.
Lewis Hamilton did not attend the 2021 FIA Prize-Giving Gala, as a reaction to the controversial decisions made by the FIA at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which unjustly cost him the 2021 championship.
However, under Article 6.6 of F1’s sporting regulations it says: “The drivers finishing first, second and third in the Championship must be present at the annual FIA Prize Giving ceremony”.
The FIA has just elected its new president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and he was immediately asked if he will do anything about Lewis’ apparent breach.
“At the end of the day, rules are rules,” Sulayem said.
“So we are going to look into the side of where the technical rules are there to be employed and was he in breach? I have to look into it.
“Of course, we’ll have to also be following our rules. But in the meanwhile, it doesn’t stop us from making a champion feel good about the sport, you know.
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“It’s easy to be nice to people. And it is cheap to be nice. And it’s also to motivate people. But definitely, if there is any breach, there is no forgiveness in this.”
When asked to clarify if there will really be “no forgiveness” for Hamilton if a breach is proven, Sulayem said:
“Forgiveness is always there, but rules are rules. We look at the rules. And I always say: rules are not made.
“A human made them…and they can be improved and changed by humans. So the rules are there to be improved.
“I know that Lewis is really sad about what happened and one word I would say is he’s broken. But we have to look if there was any breach.
“I cannot [say for now]. It’s just a few hours now I’ve been a president, and I’ve just started giving answers without going back to the facts,” concluded the new FIA president.
