When there is a controversy, a problem, everyone points the finger at the FIA, but when instead of a controversy something positive needs to be highlighted, the name of the FIA is never mentioned: this is the alarm raised by the president of the FIA Mohammed Ben Sulayem during an interview given to Motorsport.com. According to Ben Sulayem, it is impossible for the FIA to obtain the merits of an operation, given the bubble of hatred and distrust that has been generated over the years towards the Federation.
Since his arrival in 2021, Ben Sulayem has had to deal with several thorny issues, also finding several solutions that have led to results, such as the Track Limits issue in Austria, at the Red Bull Ring. The FIA, since Ben Sulayem's arrival, has also revamped its structure, introducing a remote operations center to assist with the control of races on the track. It has also launched a program for the training of stewards and race directors. All things that have not been commented on. Or at least not as much as the negative ones, which immediately get a huge resonance.
Ben Sulayem disappointed by the lack of recognition, even financial, towards the FIA
Analyzing the situation of the FIA, between reputation and financial income, the president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, clearly expressed his disappointment. “We will never get credit. It’s impossible. We will only get garbage. I know that.” confessed Ben Sulayem to Motorsport.com.
Tensions between F1 and the FIA have increased over the past few years, with several issues leading to a clash between the commercial rights holders and the Federation. In particular, in recent months, disagreements have concerned the issue of a possible expansion of the number of teams registered in the championship. But not only that. Ben Sulayem himself has in fact ended up at the center of a scandal linked to a possible acquisition of the category by the sovereign fund of Saudi Arabia, of which Ben Sulayem would have acted as an intermediary. The issue has continued and Liberty Media has even threatened to take legal action, not having appreciated Ben Sulayem's intervention, who did not appreciate the fact of not being involved in the economic issues. As he reiterated during the interview with Motorsport.com.
“If you look at the situation, everyone has made money from the FIA, everyone except the FIA. Everyone takes credit, except the FIA.”
“It’s true. When I took over, we had an operating cost of minus 20 million. Why? Because we have our revenues like everyone else. But look at the promoters… And I’m happy for them and I congratulate them, they are smart enough to do it…”.
“But I’ll be very, very honest, as always. Liberty Media has done a great job of transforming Formula 1. If you told me that if I could go back in time, I would cancel it? Absolutely not. I would not cancel it, but I would make sure that the FIA is doubly equal with them.”
“I am a good promoter, really. If you ask me today: is there anyone as capable as them? I see that there is not. I support them in what they are doing. The FIA works with them in the best way possible. But then, the regulations and governance are the work of the FIA”.
“And then, let everyone make money. Let the drivers have fun, race safely and make money. And let the team principals earn more, and they are doing it. But the FIA will never get the credit. It’s impossible.”
A tortuous path, with many questions still to be resolved
There are still many issues to be resolved, and each weekend new ones are added. Recently the FIA was called into question for the issue of flexible wings, another particularly thorny issue. On the same weekend, in Singapore the decision was also made to use an iron fist against the bad language, and the FIA has not come out of this situation very well either. Not to forget that we are in the middle of a transition period and that in 2026 there will be a new regulation. All issues that require a lot of work from the FIA. We will see if, at least this will be praised or not.
