Anthony Hamilton to take official FIA role supporting young driver development

Anthony Hamilton to assume official FIA role in young driver development

Lewis Hamilton’s father to formalize advisory position at FIA conference in Macau

LONDON / MACAU — Anthony Hamilton, father of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, is set to be officially appointed to a key role at the FIA supporting the development of young racing drivers, according to reports confirmed by The Times and Autosport.

Hamilton Sr. has reportedly spent the last 18 months in an informal advisory capacity to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, working closely on initiatives aimed at improving the talent pipeline from grassroots racing to the professional ranks. His official appointment will be confirmed at the FIA’s annual conference in Macau next month, coinciding with the launch of the FIA Young Driver Development Pathway.

A long-standing mentor returns to the grassroots

Anthony Hamilton is widely credited for managing and mentoring his son Lewis’s journey from karting prodigy to Formula 1 icon. His involvement in the FIA's new youth framework signals a strategic push by the governing body to offer clearer, more inclusive pathways for emerging talent across the motorsport spectrum.

According to sources, Hamilton Sr. impressed Ben Sulayem with his hands-on expertise and commitment to equitable access, particularly for underrepresented communities in motorsport. The initiative aligns with broader FIA goals to diversify participation and improve structured support for young talent, especially at the entry levels of competition.

Hamilton's role separate from son’s FIA criticisms

While Anthony Hamilton is poised to take on this official role, his involvement does not affect Lewis Hamilton’s ongoing disagreements with the FIA’s leadership. The Mercedes driver has had a notably strained relationship with President Ben Sulayem in recent years, particularly around issues of driver expression, race, and free speech.

One flashpoint came in 2023, when the FIA imposed strict penalties on swearing in driver communications, a move that Lewis and other drivers labeled “a mess” and “ridiculous.” Hamilton also called out racial undertones in remarks made by Ben Sulayem, who compared drivers to “rappers.”

Despite these tensions, the elder Hamilton’s appointment appears focused strictly on youth development and talent progression, without overlap into F1 governance or sporting regulations.

Politics within the FIA: A growing contest

Ben Sulayem, who will face re-election later this year, has faced growing pressure over governance, transparency, and communication with drivers. The appointment of Anthony Hamilton comes amid speculation over possible challengers to his presidency.

Among those reportedly considering a run is Carlos Sainz Sr., former World Rally Champion and father of Ferrari F1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr. While no candidacy has been officially declared, Sainz Sr. has acknowledged that he is weighing a bid following encouragement from within the motorsport community.

His potential entry would place him against Ben Sulayem in what could become a defining leadership battle for the FIA — one that might reshape how it manages both elite and grassroots motorsport.

What’s next for the FIA youth programme?

At the upcoming Macau conference, the FIA will unveil its Young Driver Development Pathway, with the goal of building a globally accessible framework that guides aspiring racers from karting to international competition. Hamilton Sr. is expected to play a central strategic role, contributing his decades of experience navigating motorsport’s competitive and financial hurdles.

In an era when F1’s popularity is at an all-time high — but access remains prohibitively expensive for many — the FIA hopes this initiative can help democratize the driver pipeline and reduce barriers to entry.

Stay with The Horizons Times for continued coverage of the FIA conference in Macau and evolving leadership dynamics within global motorsport.