Lewis Hamilton slammed the FIA over its rule change to ban protests and political points on Formula 1 race weekends.
Previously, drivers were able to use their platforms to express opinions on important social subjects such as discrimination and the environment. Hamilton has been one of the more prolific when it comes to exercising that right, as was the now retired Sebastian Vettel.
But one of the biggest stories of the off-season emerged in December when the FIA changed the rules. In order for a driver to make a "political, religious or personal statement", they must now seek prior permission from the governing body.
A failure to do so, or such an act after permission is denied, would see a driver punished. Hamilton made it clear he would not be changing his ways and the F1 world waited with interest to see if a clash came up at the Bahrain Grand Prix, though no such conflict came.
The Mercedes driver did wear a race helmet which featured, as part of the design, a rainbow flag in support of the LGBT+ community. But the FIA had no problem with it and it became clear that it might only cause an issue if a stakeholder – for example, a race promoter or government official – raised it.
Despite the lack of opposition to that gesture, Hamilton still criticised the FIA's move as he spoke to reporters in Bahrain. He said: "When I read that in the news, it tells me that we're going in the wrong direction. It is counter to what I've been trying to do with the team, and in conversations with stakeholders within the sport.
"But I expect pushback, there are still individuals that don't fully understand or believe the importance of having an inclusive environment. I think my job and our job is to continue to highlight the positives it can have and mean of more it.
"I'm really happy that I've got Mission44, we sorted that out but now I'm working with the team and we've got these diversity charts that I've been working on with all the teams.
"Stefano [Domenicali, F1 chief executive] is a great leader and is very family orientated, very much understanding and has already come out against what was said, so we will continue to work together in the right direction."
