The FIA held its 2023 Prize Gala in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Friday and plans a trip to Kigali, Rwanda, next year – despite Lewis Hamilton’s criticism of the event’s sustainability
Lewis Hamilton questioned the environmental impact of Friday’s event in Azerbaijan, and barely an hour later, the FIA announced its plan to hold its 2024 Prize Gala in Rwanda.
Every year, the FIA’s world championships officially come to an end with the Prize Gala. This also applies to Formula 1, which is where Max Verstappen will pick up his third championship trophy.
Hamilton was also present – FIA rules mandate the top three finishers in each of its racing series attend the gala. But he was quick to question why he and everyone else had been forced to make the significant journey to Baku.
He said: “I don’t feel a particular way. Whilst I really like Baku – it’s really a beautiful place – [there are] questions in my mind of whether the FIA is really actually thinking about sustainability because so many people flew out here.
“The FIA is in Paris and it just would have been easier to stay there. But it’s a beautiful arena, it’s a night we all get to come together and celebrate all the achievements of the great people working in the sport, all the amazing drivers that I wouldn’t get to see during the year.”
As Hamilton pointed out, the FIA is headquartered in France which has hosted its end-of-season event in recent times. Last year’s gala was in Bologna, Italy, which at least meant it was still accessible for those in Europe without having to fly.
But that was not the case for this year’s event in Baku, nor will it be so in 2024. At Friday’s event, it was announced that the next FIA Prize Gala will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, next December.
The African country’s motorsport league praised the news via web-based entertainment. The post read: “Rwanda will have the lofty 2024 FIA General Congregations and Prize Giving. A genuine demonstration of our country’s capacities and the solid bonds with the FIA Family. Prepare for an extraordinary occasion!”
Hamilton likewise censured the FIA for its concise examination concerning Toto and Susie Wolff in the midst of charges of a potential “irreconcilable situation” between their particular jobs. “Disheartening to see the administering body scrutinizing the respectability of perhaps of the most mind boggling female pioneer we’ve had in our game, without addressing, with practically no proof, then trying to say sorry toward the end, that is simply unsuitable,” said the seven-time title holder.
There is a steady battle to truly further develop variety and incorporation inside the business, however it appears there are sure people inside the initiative of the FIA that each time we make a step in the right direction they’re attempting to pull us back and that needs to change.”
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