Sao Paulo Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton says Formula 1 needs to address lack of ‘transparency’ among race stewards

“It’s something that definitely needs to be addressed. But it’s probably something that needs to be done in the background, I imagine,” he added.

Hamilton made an oblique reference to the 2021 championship decider in Abu Dhabi, where he controversially lost the title to Verstappen as a result of former race director Michael Masi’s failure to properly apply the rules during a late-race safety car period.

At the time, race stewards refused to overturn Massey’s decisions. The Australian was subsequently sent off by the FIA, before a report into the incident concluded that Massi’s decisions were the result of “human error”.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Hamilton said: “I don’t know if they realize the magnitude of their decisions. They ultimately drive their careers. They can determine the outcomes of championships, as you’ve seen in the past. I’m sure there’s some work to be done there.”

The FIA ​​does not comment on the decisions of the stewards as they are supposed to work independently of the governing body.