Lewis Hamilton's father set for shock FIA role

Anthony Hamilton, the father of seven-time F1 champion Lewis, is to take up a new role with the FIA, overseeing young driver development. 

Hamilton has been working with president Mohammed Ben Sulayem for the past 18 months, The Times reported, with the president impressed by his work as part of the Young Driver Development Pathway. 

It is expected that this is to be officially launched next month, with Hamilton's work thus far enough to earn him an official position with F1's governing body. 

Hamilton is understood to be keen to help protect young drivers and nurture grassroots motorsport, something he has experience of through Lewis's junior career and rise up the junior ranks.

His actions in comforting Isack Hadjar following the Racing Bulls driver crashing out of the formation lap on his debut in the Australian Grand Prix, earned widespread acclaim for showing support to the devastated French driver.

Ben Sulayem's term as FIA president has been tumultuous, with a number of high-profile resignations, including his deputy president for sport, Robert Reid, who sharply criticised Ben Sulayem's leadership. 

New FIA elections are due later this year, with Ben Sulayem expecting to stand for re-election, although Carlos Sainz Sr is actively considering a bid to stand against the former rally driver.

The Times claims that Hamilton's new position alongside Ben Sulayem could be seen as the president claiming he has driver support, when Lewis has had a frosty relationship with the president. 

In 2024, he claimed that Ben Sulayem had used words "with a racial element" for comparing drivers who swore over the radio to rappers.

Anthony Hamilton is no longer actively involved as a manager in Lewis Hamilton's career, thus ending any potential claims of a conflict of interest.