08 December 2023 , 19:08
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The FIA announced its plan to hold its 2024 Prize Gala in Rwanda - barely an hour after Lewis Hamilton questioned the environmental impact of Friday's event in Azerbaijan.
The Prize Gala is an annual event that marks the official end of all the FIA's world championships. That includes Formula 1, and so it is where Max Verstappen receives the trophy for his third title.
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."
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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 federation celebrated the news on social media. The post read: "Rwanda will be hosting the prestigious 2024 FIA General Assemblies and Prize Giving. A true testament to our nation's capabilities and the strong bonds with the FIA Family. Get ready for an unforgettable event!"
Hamilton also criticised the FIA for its brief investigation into Toto and Susie Wolff amid allegations of a potential "conflict of interest" between their respective roles. "Disappointing to see the governing body questioning the integrity of one of the most incredible female leaders we've had in our sport, without questioning, without any evidence, then just saying sorry at the end, that's just unacceptable," said the seven-time world champion.
"There is a constant fight to really improve diversity and inclusion within the industry, but it seems there are certain individuals within the leadership of the FIA that every time we make a step forward they're trying to pull us back and that has to change."