Lewis Hamilton’s father set to replace Mohammed Ben Sulayem as FIA president

Lewis Hamilton’s father Anthony is poised to head the FIA’s revamped young-driver programme, according to The Times, having unofficially advised the initiative for over a year.



The appointment is expected to be confirmed at next month’s FIA conference amid broader governance reforms.



Context of presidential jostling



Current president Mohammed Ben Sulayem faces the prospect of a December election challenge from rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr, intensifying manoeuvring inside motorsport’s governing body.



Elevating Anthony Hamilton, a respected mentor figure, could shore up Ben Sulayem’s support among driver stakeholders.







Track-side evidence of commitment



The 65-year-old Brit was present at this year’s Australian Grand Prix, consoling rookie Isack Hadjar after a devastating start-line crash.



Such pastoral care aligns with the FIA’s goal of nurturing talent beyond technical coaching.



Hamilton family dynamics



Anthony maintains a close bond with his son despite Lewis’s sometimes frosty relationship with Ben Sulayem, recently aggravated when the president said drivers were “not rappers” in reference to swearing.



Lewis labelled the remark as having a “racial element,” yet sources insist the elder Hamilton and Ben Sulayem remain cordial.



Programme objectives



The revamped pathway will formalise mentoring, mental-health support and financial-literacy training for karters through Formula 2.



Anthony’s business background and experience guiding Lewis from grassroots to global superstardom are viewed as invaluable.



Unofficial duties already underway



Insiders say Hamilton Sr has been shadowing FIA officials at junior events, offering feedback on driver briefing structures and parental-support guidelines.



His presence in the paddock has grown conspicuous this season, fuelling speculation now validated by the Times scoop.



Political calculus



Appointing a high-profile figure could neutralise criticism that Ben Sulayem lacks driver empathy, though detractors may interpret the move as a bid for celebrity cover.



Sainz Sr, meanwhile, is courting support from national sporting authorities and could unveil his platform later this summer.



Reaction from teams



Ferrari applauded the prospect, noting Anthony’s calming influence on its own juniors in F2.



McLaren CEO Zak Brown welcomed “any initiative that makes driver welfare a priority,” while cautioning that “governance must remain transparent.”



Young drivers respond



Academy members expressed enthusiasm on social media, crediting Hamilton’s approachable demeanour and grassroots understanding of funding hurdles.



Some karting parents hope his tenure will streamline scholarship pathways often criticised as opaque.



Implementation timeline



The FIA conference will set out milestones for 2026, including a global talent-identification system linked to national karting federations.



Funding will partly derive from a proposed levy on F1 driver super-licence fees, pending World Motor Sport Council approval.



Challenges ahead



Balancing mentorship with political neutrality may prove tricky given Lewis Hamilton’s outspoken activism and past clashes with the FIA.



Anthony will need to demonstrate impartiality while leveraging his surname’s gravitas.



Final outlook



If confirmed, the role would formalise a behind-the-scenes passion project for Hamilton Sr and potentially mend bridges between the sport’s most famous family and its governing body.



The announcement is set to add another layer to an already charged lead-up to December’s presidential election.
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