Undermining Fair Play: FIA President Ben Sulayem Accused of Tampering with F1 Race Result
The world of Formula 1 is once again in the grip of a scandal, and this time, the focus is squarely on FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Explosive allegations have surfaced, accusing the 62-year-old of meddling with the Formula 1 stewards’ decisions during the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
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According to prominent international publications, including La Repubblica (Italy), L’Equipe (France), and the BBC, Ben Sulayem is alleged to have interfered to remove a penalty imposed on Fernando Alonso. La Repubblica reports, “The president is alleged to have intervened during the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP to have a penalty imposed on Fernando Alonso removed.”
Controversial Calls: Ben Sulayem’s Alleged Intervention
It is claimed that Ben Sulayem directly contacted Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the FIA’s vice president for the Middle East and North Africa region, who was in Saudi Arabia for the race. The aim? To ensure Alonso’s penalty was revoked, allowing him to retain his podium place, despite initially dropping to P4.
This alleged intervention not only impacted the race standings but also had wider consequences. Alonso’s restored podium finish marked his 100th career podium, securing 15 crucial points for the veteran driver and altering the season’s final standings.
Las Vegas Grand Prix Drama: Attempted Cancellation and Whistleblower Claims
In a separate incident, Ben Sulayem finds himself in the midst of another controversy involving the Las Vegas Grand Prix. A whistleblower has come forward, accusing the FIA president of attempting to get the race cancelled. The whistleblower, as reported by the BBC, claims they were instructed to find concerns to prevent the circuit from being certified fit for racing.
“The purpose was to find fault with the track in order to withhold the licence,” the whistleblower alleged. The FIA’s compliance officer has submitted a report on these claims to the ethics committee, adding another layer of scrutiny to Ben Sulayem’s actions.
FIA Responds: Investigation Confirmed
In response to these serious allegations, the FIA has confirmed that an investigation is underway. “FIA confirms that the Compliance Officer has received a report detailing potential allegations involving certain members of its governing bodies,” the FIA stated. “The Compliance Department is assessing these concerns, as is common practice in these matters, to ensure that due process is meticulously followed.”
Ben Sulayem: From Racing to Controversy
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, an Emirati former rally driver, assumed the FIA presidency in 2021, succeeding Jean Todt. However, his tenure has been marred by controversy, raising questions about the integrity of the sport under his leadership.
As these investigations unfold, the future of Formula 1 remains uncertain. The sport’s governing body faces the challenging task of maintaining its reputation for fair play and integrity amid these serious allegations against its highest-ranking official.
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