Liberty Media are not happy with the current FIA president and even have his replacement in mind.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA has had a somewhat controversial couple of weeks? Firstly undermining Liberty Media’s evaluation of Formula 1 in general and now, alleged sexist/misogynistic statements and quotes from Mr Sulayem’s past have surfaced.
Looking back at what has unfolded. According to sources Liberty Media had refused to sell the rights to Formula 1 for the huge sum of $20 Billion on behalf of Saudi Arabia’s Investment Fund.
Ben Sulayem was quick to jump on the story on Twitter.
Liberty media didnt take too kindly to this statement from the head honcho of the FIA. They released their own in response.
“Any individual or organisation commenting on the value of a listed entity or its subsidiaries, especially claiming or implying possession of inside knowledge while doing so, risks causing substantial damage to the shareholders and investors of that entity, not to mention potential exposure to serious regulatory consequences.”
“To the degree that these comments damage the value of Liberty Media Corporation, the FIA may be liable as a result.”
Official statement from Liberty Media
F1 bosses also responded that Liberty Media hold the “exclusive right” to use the sport’s “commercial rights”. Which garnered a speedy response from Ben Sulayem who stressed F1 was simply on loan to Liberty. He responded:
“The championship is ours. We have only rented it out.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem
This weeks controvery has exploded into the news, that comments from Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s own archived website from back in 2001 have come to light where the FIA chief was allegedly pretty scathing of women.
The supposed comments state..
“I love the desert and I love meeting real people”, but also dislikes talking about money, nor do I like women who think they are smarter than men, for they are not in truth.”
Alleged statement from archived website of Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
The FIA have been speedy in their defence of the allegations. Releasing a short statement which reads
“The remarks in this archived website from 2001 do not reflect the President’s beliefs.
“He has a strong record on promoting women and equality in sport, which he is happy to be judged on. It was a central part of his manifesto and actions taken this year and the many years he served as Vice President for Sport prove this.”
Official Statement from the FIA
Will this be the straw to break the camels back? Rumours are circling that F1/Liberty media want to remove Sulayem from his position. They even have a replacement in mind to fill his shoes.
Former Benetton and BAR team boss David Richards, chairman of Motorsport UK and Prodrive, is Liberty’s preferred choice, sources suggesting that Richards had even signalled initial openness to the idea.
Are Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s days at the head of the FIA numbered? If Liberty Media and F1 have their way it certainly won’t be long before we find out.