FIA Responds to Controversy: Investigating Accusations Against President Mohammed Ben Sulayem

In a pivotal moment for Formula 1 governance, the FIA has addressed serious allegations against its president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. This move follows reports suggesting his potential involvement in race manipulation and obstruction of the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit certification in 2023.

Key Takeaways:

• A whistleblower has brought to light accusations of Ben Sulayem attempting to influence the outcome of the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, casting doubt on the integrity of F1 race results.
• New allegations have surfaced, claiming Ben Sulayem tried to hinder the certification process of the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit by instructing officials to find faults, questioning the transparency of F1 circuit approvals.
• The FIA has launched an investigation through its Compliance Officer to ensure thorough scrutiny and adherence to due process in light of these allegations.

In an unexpected development in the world of Formula 1, the FIA finds itself grappling with controversy involving its president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The center of the storm is the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where Ben Sulayem is alleged to have attempted to interfere with the race’s outcome. This incident, which involved driver Fernando Alonso receiving a controversial time penalty that was subsequently reversed, has raised significant questions about the fairness and integrity of F1 race management.

The narrative thickens with the whistleblower’s claim that Ben Sulayem reached out to Abdullah bin Isa Al Khalifa, the FIA Vice-President for Sport in the Middle East and president of the Bahrain Motor Federation, to influence the decision-making process. This incident strikes at the heart of F1’s commitment to impartiality and fair competition.

Adding to the intrigue are the recent claims regarding the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit. According to reports, Ben Sulayem allegedly instructed officials to find faults in the circuit, deliberately obstructing its certification for the upcoming race. Such actions, if true, could significantly impact the credibility of the circuit approval process in Formula 1.

In response, the FIA has confirmed that these allegations are being investigated by its Compliance Officer. The organization has stressed the importance of following due process and expressed disappointment over the premature media disclosure of these concerns. The FIA’s statement emphasized the regrettable nature of this disclosure and the inaccuracies reported.

The FIA’s full statement underscores the gravity of the situation:

“Compliance Officer has received a report detailing potential allegations involving certain members of its governing bodies.

“The Compliance Department is assessing these concerns, as is common practice in these matters, to ensure that due process is meticulously followed.

“It is unfortunate and a source of great concern that the matter has been disclosed to the media without any prior authorization and that certain elements of the report were inaccurately reported.”

As the FIA navigates through these turbulent waters, the motorsport world watches closely. The implications of these investigations could have far-reaching consequences for the governance and integrity of Formula 1.