Ben Sulayem tells F1 drivers how he runs FIA is “none of their enterprise”

A defiant FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has dismissed speak of turmoil throughout the governing physique, and advised Formulation 1 drivers it’s “none of their enterprise” how he runs issues.

Ben Sulayem has discovered himself underneath the highlight lately within the wake of a bunch of high-level departures from the FIA – which has included F1 race director Niels Wittich.

Moreover, he was additionally despatched an open letter from the Grand Prix Drivers’ Affiliation (GPDA), which demanded he begin treating them like adults and requested for transparency about the place the cash from fines go.

Talking for the primary time for the reason that newest developments, Ben Sulayem advised Motorsport.com forward of the Qatar Grand Prix that he was unmoved by any latest criticisms or recommendations the FIA was dealing with chaos.

Requested particularly concerning the GPDA’s calls, Ben Sulayem mentioned: “None of their enterprise. Sorry.

“With all respect, I’m a driver. I respect the drivers. Allow them to go and focus on what they do greatest, which is race.

“However okay, you wish to understand how a lot we paid in grassroots? I am going to offer you: 10.3 million [euro] we invested in grassroots final 12 months. I believe that is some huge cash. In ’24, so far, over 10 million. Again in grassroots. In karting.”

The latter reference is about the place the FIA spends among the funding it will get from fines. There was greater than 10.3 million euro spent on grassroots growth in 85 counties, with funding for 70 motorsport security initiatives in progress at a price of two.7 million euro.

Additional examples of spending in unseen areas features a additional 1.9 million euro having been spent on operational security and medical prices at FIA World Championship occasions, in addition to 13 initiatives associated to technical laws.

Specializing in FIA first

Ben Sulayem refused to elaborate on any of the background surrounding the latest dismissals of senior figures throughout the FIA – as he claimed his precedence was to serve his member golf equipment and never clarify himself to the surface world.

“That is our enterprise,” he mentioned when requested about latest occasions. “We’ll do no matter is nice for the FIA. So it is actually none of individuals’s enterprise to intrude in ours. It is the outcomes that we produce.”

However pushed on drivers particularly wanting solutions over why Wittich was dropped with three races remaining, Ben Sulayem mentioned: “Do we now have to inform them? When one thing within the groups adjustments, do they inform us? No, they do not. No one has to. We’ve the foundations, we observe our guidelines. We do not observe another person’s rule. Easy as this.”

Ben Sulayem mentioned that whereas there had been main headlines in latest weeks about the best way the FIA was operating issues, all he cared about was making the governing physique higher.

“I imply, with the media, with all respect, why do I’ve to reply the whole lot?” he mentioned. “I’ve a duty in direction of my members and in direction of the game.

“I am not an individual who will go and get up within the morning, go and take a look at the media. The media are good, however they do not have votes within the FIA.

“I’ve been elected to repair the FIA, and I’m fixing it. I’m very pleased with our new crew. Very joyful.”

Ben Sulayem believed that the losses of workers had acquired pointless traction contemplating the FIA had been on a recruitment drive over the previous two years and employed way more individuals than had left.

“ what? I’m very optimistic concerning the FIA,” he mentioned. “I’m so pleased with our place now. I can solely see good issues. 

“And by the best way, have you learnt 64 workers joined us in 2023, to your info? And 92 in 2024.”

Requested if he cared in any respect concerning the exterior criticisms, Ben Sulayem mentioned: “No, huge time. No. I’ll inform you one thing, what’s occurring. I believe I stay freed from cost of their brains, huh… It’s an excellent house there, they offer me.”

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem

Photograph by: Dom Romney / Motorsport Pictures

Disaster speak

Ben Sulayem mentioned from his perspective any suggestion of chaos throughout the FIA was vast of the mark – as he doubled down on stating that he would do no matter it takes to guard the governing physique.

Requested concerning the disaster claims being reported, Ben Sulayem mentioned: “It is the paddock and the circulation within the UK.

“I will be very straight with you, trustworthy as at all times: why do not I provide the names of the [FIA] members, a listing randomly? You name them and inform them there’s chaos in FIA. Inform them…

“I even have extra necessary issues to do than waking up and no matter X, Y, Z is writing about me. Oh, look what they write about you. So what? Am I nonetheless alive right here? Sure. Am I doing the precedence for the FIA? Sure. Did I break any guidelines? No. Come on.

“The media accused me of the whole lot, this fabrication of me, and sexism. However the place is it? Did anybody show it proper? They bring about one thing from 23 years in the past, and so they mentioned that I stole cash, and I interfered in the results of the stewards. The place is all of that? The place?

“They discuss chaos, huh? , no matter it takes to convey the FIA in a greater place, I’ll do it. And allow them to discuss no matter they need.”