“We will not remain in silence” – Lewis Hamilton leads the WRC stars in a courageous position in support of Max Verstappen against the President of the FIA

In a world of racing increasingly divided between power, politics and sports justice, the declaration issued yesterday by Lewis Hamilton triggered a real earthquake.

With a simple but powerful “we will not remain in silence”, the seven times world champion has turned on the spotlight on a latent clash that now explodes in all its strength: the one between the top riders and the president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sularyem.

The fuse? The treatment reserved for Max Verstappen after recent controversies related to the management of the rules and the transparency of federal decisions.

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Hamilton, who has been engaged not only on the track for years but also as a voice for the equity and rights of the pilots, has decided to intervene publicly after Ben Sulayem’s off-record declarations which, according to rumors leaked in the Dutch media, would have questioned the legitimacy of Verstappen’s successes, insinuating favoritism and manipulations by Red Bull. In an environment already inflamed by internal tensions and crossed accusations, these words have represented an overcome red line.

But what made the episode even more extraordinary was the reaction of the paddock of the World Rally Championship. In a gesture of solidarity never seen before, names such as Sébastien Ogier, Kalle Rovanperä and Thierry Neuville have signed, together with Hamilton, an open letter in which they express themselves “profound concern” for the current leadership of the FIA ​​and an independent investigation is asked for the president’s conduct. It is the first time that stars of two different worlds – F1 and WRC – come together so clearly to support a single pilot and to denounce what is called “a culture of silence and fear”.

The letter, published by the international media and relaunched by figures of the caliber of Toto Wolff and also by the former champion Rally Tommi Mäkinen, denounces a lack of systemic transparency in the decisions of the Federation and asks for an urgent renewal of the governance mechanisms. The intervention of Hamilton, in particular, has been described as “bold and necessary” by his colleagues. “We have seen too many times penalized or discredited drivers without a clear base – said – Max is a rival, but what is undergoing is unacceptable.”

While the FIA ​​replied with a formal declaration in which it rejects each accusation and reiterates its commitment for impartiality, sources close to the paddock speak of an increasingly tense climate, with several team principal ready to ask for an extraordinary assembly to discuss the leadership of Ben Sulayem. Red Bull, so far silent, has released a laconic comment: “We appreciate support for our drivers. We reserve every future action.” A cold tone that reflects the state of diplomatic war in progress.

Behind this courageous position, however, there is a wider question: the trust in the institutions of Motorsport. When icons like Hamilton and Ogier expose themselves firsthand, the message is clear: it is no longer just Verstappen, but of an entire system that many consider having entered into crisis.

The next few days will be crucial. If the FIA ​​chooses to ignore the appeal, the risk is a profound split between managers and pilots, between institutions and those who put their face and body on the track. Meanwhile, the world looks. And as Hamilton said, this time, nobody will remain silent.