FIA responds to allegations of race interference involving Ben Sulayem in Formula 1
The FIA has acknowledged the existence of a report outlining possible allegations involving some members of its governing body, including its governing body president Mohamed Ben Sulayem.
The report, compiled by compliance officer Paolo Basarri and submitted to the ethics committee, suggested that Ben Sulayem intervened to overturn a 10-second penalty imposed on Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso during the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The BBC report claimed that a whistleblower alleged that Ben Sulayem had contacted Sheikh Abdullah bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the FIA’s vice-president for Middle East sporting affairs, urging him to withdraw Alonso’s punishment.
Despite requests for comment from the BBC, Ben Sulayem has remained silent on the matter.
ALSO READ: Bavarian Brilliance: Bayern Munich Dominates Lazio 3-0 to Advance (3-1 agg)
However, the FIA released a statement confirming receipt of the report and confirmed that the compliance department is investigating the allegations to ensure that due process is followed.
Alonso’s penalty avoidance elevated him to the podium, behind the Red Bull duo of Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen. Initially, there was no doubt surrounding the decision, particularly after Aston Martin’s sporting director Andy Stevenson presented the team’s case to the stewards for the right to review. A whistleblower also alleged that Ben Sulayem interfered with the Las Vegas circuit’s certification process for the Grand Prix last year. The FIA has responded to the claims, stating that the circuit’s approval complies with FIA protocol despite delays due to local construction work.
The allegations against Ben Sulayem coincide with Christian Horner’s ongoing struggle to retain his position as Red Bull team principal following a complaint by a female colleague. Horner has consistently denied these claims.
