LEWIS HAMILTONappeared to reject a hug from FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem in an awkward moment after the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion has clashed with theFIApresident since he was appointed in 2021.
After his tough start to life at , enjoyed a positive race in Bahrain, winning the fans’ Driver of the Day vote.
He recovered from a disappointing P9 qualifying performance to finish fifth, one spot behind team-mate .
And the 40-year-old ace overtook the likes of Kimi Antonelli, Pierre Gasly and in the process.
After stepping out of the cockpit in Parc Ferme, Hamilton headed toward the weighbridge to complete his mandatory post-race checks.
But fans caught a somewhat thorny exchange when the Brit came across Ben Sulayem along the way.
The FIA president had his arms outstretched while waiting to embrace theFerraridriver.
However, had other ideas and avoided the hug before simply giving him a pat on the side before continuing on his way.
One fan wrote: “Lewis airing Ben Sulayem there 😂😂.”
A dominant drive from pole sawOscar Piastriclaim victory in Sakhir on Sunday, ahead ofGeorge RussellandLando Norris.
But there have been rumours that Hamilton and Ben Sulayem don't see eye-to-eye.
The former driver called out the FIA chief after theshort-lived investigation into Susie Wolff last season.
That decision landed the Emirati official in hot water, with the wife ofMercedesboss
And Hamilton was asked whether Ben Sulayem had his support before the 2024 Aussie Grand Prix.
The Brit replied bluntly:“He never has. There is a real lack of accountability here, within this sport, within the FIA.
“There are things that are happening behind closed doors, there is no transparency, there is really no accountability and we need that.
“The fans need that. How can you trust the sport and what is happening here if you don’t have that?”
Last year, Hamilton doubled down on his criticism of after the FIA president
The 62-year-old has been on amission to stamp out foul language in the paddock, much to the disdain of some of the sport’s stars.
The feud between Hamilton and Ben Sulayem first dates back to 2022.
When the FIA chief forced the Brit to remove a nose stud, clamping down on jewellery at the race track.
He later fined Hamilton £42,000 for skipping the end-of-season prize-giving gala, after Verstappen was handed the title following a hugely
FIAexecutive Robert Reid resigned last week over what he described as a “fundamental breakdown in governance standards”;.
Ben Sulayem has been under fire in the last few years, following various controversies including the FIA’s swearing rules.
Reid said in his resignation letter: “When I took on this role, it was to serve the FIA's members, not to serve power.”
A few days ago at Suzuka, to the national anthem in Japan following a toilet break.
Sainz reported to the FIA medical team with a stomach issue, but was fined £17,000, half of which has been suspended for 12 months providing he does not re-offend.
But the Spaniard, 30, now faces an even bigger one for saying “s*** happens in response”.
