Accusations Against FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem Over Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Controversy

A whistleblower has levied serious accusations against FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, alleging abuse of authority to influence the results of the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, a Formula 1 event.

According to BBC Sport, Ben Sulayem is accused of intervening to overturn a time penalty issued to Fernando Alonso during the race. Alonso received a 10-second penalty after his Aston Martin crew breached pit lane rules by touching the car while it was serving a separate 5-second penalty.

The matter was reported to the FIA ethics committee by a compliance officer, citing claims that Ben Sulayem pressured race stewards to reverse the penalty against Alonso. While it remains unclear what specific actions Ben Sulayem took, his influential position within the FIA, particularly as vice-president for sport for the Middle East and North Africa, raises concerns about potential interference.

The penalty reversal propelled Alonso back onto the podium, raising questions about the integrity of the race results. Despite efforts by Aston Martin to challenge the penalty based on interpretation of pit lane regulations, the confusion surrounding the incident has prompted amendments to the rules for greater clarity.

Ben Sulayem’s tenure as FIA President has been marked by controversies, including criticism over past remarks and decisions perceived as detrimental to the sport’s inclusivity and competitiveness. His alleged involvement in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix incident adds fuel to existing concerns about political influences in Formula 1 governance.

The ongoing turmoil underscores broader issues within Formula 1, including power struggles between teams, FIA leadership, and commercial interests, as well as declining viewership and dissatisfaction among fans. With internal drama overshadowing on-track action, Formula 1 faces challenges in maintaining its appeal and relevance in a competitive sports landscape.

While the accusations against Ben Sulayem add a layer of intrigue to the sport, they also highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in Formula 1 governance to preserve its integrity and credibility.