Lewis Hamilton has launched an astonishing swipe at the FIA, citing a lack of transparency and trust in the sport.

It comes after Susie Wolff – head of F1 Academy and wife of Mercedes boss Toto Wolff – revealed she has taken legal action against the FIA.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem was cleared by private internal investigation of intervening in the outcome of the 2023 Saudi Grand Prix and attempting to stop last year’s Las Vegas GP.

Further controversy occurred when Red Bull boss Christian Horner was also allowed to continue in his role after he was cleared of 'inappropriate allegations' made against him by a female colleague, with the details being kept secret.

Speaking on F1’s recent scandals, Hamilton said: "Firstly, I'm incredibly proud of Susie. She's so brave. She stands for such great values. She's such a leader.

"In a world where often people are silenced, for her to be standing up sends such a great message.

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"I love that she's taking it out of this world, filing it from outside, because there is a real lack of accountability here within this sport, within the FIA.

"Things that are happening behind closed doors, there is no transparency, there is clearly no accountability.

"How can you trust the sport and what is happening here if you didn't have that?

"Hopefully, this stand that she's taken now will create change, have a positive impact, and especially for women.

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"We're living in the time where the message is, 'If you file a complaint, you'll be fired.' That is a terrible narrative to project to the world.

"So, especially when we're talking about inclusivity here in the sport, we need to make sure that we're staying true to the core values here."

Fellow Brit George Russell concurred with Hamilton's comments, adding: "You trust that the leaders in this sport have the best interest at heart rather than their own interests.

"When we don't have the facts and figures, and there is no transparency, you always think there's something being hidden.

"That's why it's so important for the sport now to send the right message to everybody who's supporting F1, watching F1, wants to be involved in F1, that things aren't just swept under the carpet."

Team bosses have asked for full transparency from the investigation into Red Bull’s inquiry into the Horner controversy.

The FIA decision to clear Horner came as a surprise to many, however it is expected to remain a private matter.