FIA's Ben Sulayem claps back at Formula 1 drivers amid financial transparency concerns

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has robustly defended the organization's internal affairs amidst growing tension with Formula 1 drivers over financial transparency and governance concerns.

Ahead of the highly-anticipated Qatar Grand Prix, Ben Sulayem addressed queries from drivers about the whereabouts of fined proceeds and the unexplained departure of key FIA personnel. During an exclusive interview with Reuters, he dismissed calls from racers for insight into the governing body's decisions and financial movements.

"Do we have to tell them? When something in the teams changes, do they tell us?," the president retorted, emphasizing the independence of the FIA's processes.

The absence of former race director Niels Wittich from last weekend's pivotal Las Vegas Grand Prix had stirred speculation, with the FIA stating Wittich chose to seek new opportunities—a claim countered by reports suggesting he was dismissed. No further clarification was provided by the governing body. Along with Wittich, the FIA also witnessed the exit of key figures such as leading steward Tim Mayer and Formula 2 race director Janette Tan.

Mercedes driver and GPDA director George Russell vocalized the drivers’ desire for "clarity and understanding" on these sudden changes within the FIA. In response, Ben Sulayem, who ascended to the FIA presidency in 2021, iterated, "It's none of their business. Sorry ... Let them go and concentrate on what they do best, which is race."

The relationship between the GPDA and the FIA president has seen its ups and downs. Last month, the GPDA released a statement decrying Ben Sulayem's clampdown on swearing and urged for mature conversations. They also pressed for the justification of the utilization of funds amassed from racing penalties, proposing that they could perhaps be used to support the employment of professional stewards.

Ben Sulayem, unperturbed by the criticism, stressed the privacy of financial matters within the FIA, comparing it to the confidentiality concerning the drivers' earnings. Despite discouraging drivers from delving into administrative matters, he did reveal significant investment in developing single-seater racing at the grassroots level.

"You really think I would waste the money? This is not commercial. This is the money of the members, and I have been elected to safeguard that," Ben Sulayem affirmed.

The FIA president also put forward staff recruitment figures as a sign of progress under his leadership, with an operational cost turnaround, hinting at a financially positive year ahead for the organization.

Tensions are clearly high between the racing elite and the sport's governing body, and as the engines rev up for the Qatar showdown, all eyes are not only on the track but also on these unfolding administrative dramas.

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