It was December 2021 when Mohammed Ben Sulayem was elected new president of the FIA. It certainly wasn't an easy start to the season for the president of the International Automobile Federation, which he had to face very different and complicated situations.
The particular beginning
One of the situations hottest that was the case Michael Massi. Ben Sulayem has already spoken out on the matter a couple of times, giving reasons for the decision to replace it like race director. They weren't missing though the controversy also during the new season, the first effective under his leadership. Main event discussion was the bombing that took place in Jeddah, during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, concluded in the end without enormous difficulties.
Ben Sulayem: "We have to keep working"
So for Ben Sulayem the time has come sum up his first semester as FIA president. The former UAE Rally driver, thus commented, exclusively to GrandPrix247, his work.
"It's going well, but the challenges will never end. In the first six months I would say it was a challenging task. External companies such as Deloitte and McKenzie are working on audits and will give us their feedback soon. On the financial side, I inherited a weak FIA. I don't want to say that anyone abused the budget, but due to negligence we now have 23 million euros for our operations. I am confident that with the right team, the right approach, the right plan and a good federation, we will be break even in less than two years.. From the first data of the auditors it emerges that the FIA is old. Not in the personal, but in thought. We cannot be "old" in a dynamic sport. You look at all this technology, you have to keep up and keep updating and reinventing yourself.”
Growth goal
A Formula One which grows, pleases people and young people more and more, and is ready to continue its development.
"In five years I see a healthier and more dynamic Formula 1. Now the challenges are different – commented the president – we need to make some changes. There are a few things I'm not happy with at the moment. Fortunately, F1's success is increasing. I think it also has to do with the pandemic, which has affected people's mindsets. People want to live in the moment, now. Sometimes we take things for granted, but who would have guessed that we would be closed for so long and people would die from Covid? It was a nightmare. Furthermore, the interests of the United States certainly have part of the credit. The FIA had already tried, but it didn't go well. Now the desirability of F1 has increased again, the Americans are different".
STATEMENT SOURCE: FormulaPassion
