F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff has argued that Lewis Hamilton sometimes does not get enough credit for the influence he has had on Formula 1.
Wolff discussed Hamilton’s public support for her after the FIA launched an inquiry into claims that her relationship with her husband, Mercedes F1 CEO Toto Wolff, posed a conflict of interest in the championship.
Two days later, the investigation was dropped, but Wolff argued that the damage had been done to her reputation. She has since taken legal action against the FIA, which remains ongoing.
“Well, I think Lewis is always someone that has been willing to use his voice for good and has always been someone that’s seen a wider picture of how his influence can have a positive impact,” she explained during an appearance on the High Performance podcast.
“And you know, sometimes it’s easy to take the trodden path that everyone else does, but he’s absolutely forged his own path and he’s had such a big impact in the sport.
“It was no surprise for me that he was one to stand up and speak because he is always the one that stands up to speak when there’s something to be said, or when something hasn’t been said but needs to be said.”
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Wolff added that the seven-time champion does not always get the credit he deserves for the impact he has had on the series.
“And I don’t think he sometimes gets enough credit for that,” she added. “You know, he’s turned that walk into the paddock into a catwalk.
“He’s played a part in making Formula 1 culturally relevant outside of just motorsport and sport, and I do think he’s someone that has a very powerful voice and uses it for good and others should take some inspiration from that.”
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