logo
GRAN PREMIO DE BARÉIN
El piloto holandés de Red Bull Max Verstappen (centro) que ganó la clasificación conversa con el presidente de la FIA Mohammed Ben Sulayem, luego del clasificatorio de cara al Gran Premio de Baréin, en el circuito de Sakhir, Baréin, el viernes 1 de marzo de 2024. (AP Foto/Darko Bandic)

Amid drama around Formula 1, FIA president issues letter to membership defending his leadership

The head of Formula 1’s governing body issued a passionate defense of his leadership and claimed a pair of whistleblower complaints against him were meant to destabilize him as president of the FIA and question the integrity of the organization

By JENNA FRYER
Published - Mar 22, 2024, 03:23 PM ET
Last Updated - Mar 22, 2024, 03:23 PM EDT

The head of Formula 1's governing body has issued a passionate defense of his leadership, claiming a pair of whistleblower complaints against him were meant to “destabilize me as President of the FIA, but also of questioning the integrity of our respected organization.”

In a letter sent to FIA membership, a copy of which was seen by The Associated Press on Friday, Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the complaints have “shaken the FIA” and created a “period of unprecedented turbulence and challenge.”

The ethics committee for the FIA earlier this week cleared Ben Sulayem after an investigation it said lasted 30 days and included interviewing 11 witnesses, including the president.

The FIA had said its compliance officer received two complaints against Ben Sulayem. The first alleged he intervened to overturn a penalty given to Fernando Alonso at last year’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The second, from the same whistleblower, claimed Ben Sulayem told officials not to certify the Las Vegas circuit for its high-profile race last November.

Our Offices
  • 10kInfo, Inc.
    13555 SE 36th St
    Bellevue, WA 98006
  • 10kInfo Data Solutions, Pvt Ltd.
    Claywork Create
    11 km, Arakere Bannerghatta Rd, Omkar Nagar, Arekere,
    Bengaluru, Karnataka 560076
4.2 12182024