Mohammed bin Sulayem defends his leadership role as FIA President after acquittal – the association will emerge “stronger and more determined “
After being acquitted of allegations of influencing races for the 2023 Formula 1 season, FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem has personally addressed FIA members in a letter
According to a report by the AP news agency, the letter states that the accusations were only aimed at “destabilizing me as President of the FIA, but also questioning the integrity of our prestigious organization”.
They had “shaken the FIA” and triggered a “period of unprecedented turmoil and challenges”. The allegations made by a whistleblower to the FIA’s compliance officer relate to two separate incidents that allegedly took place during the 2023 season.
At the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Sulayem personally campaigned for a retrospective time penalty for Fernando Alonso to be rescinded. He also tried to prevent the certification of the Formula 1 track in Vegas.
In both cases, Sulayem was cleared of any wrongdoing following an investigation by the FIA Ethics Commission. Nevertheless, the allegations caused unrest
Sulayem: FIA is “stronger and more determined than ever “
“These events have unfolded with a clear objective: to target the heart of our leadership and undermine the foundations of our association,” Sulayem writes in his letter to the federation. He said he was angered that the FIA “has been the victim of malicious leaks of confidential and sensitive information, damaging our reputation and worrying our members”.
“But despite these attacks on my person and our organization as a whole, we have emerged stronger and more determined than ever,” Sulayem emphasizes. “We know that the real aim of these reprehensible actions was to target me and weaken the very essence of the FIA.”
He will continue to promote “an environment of transparency, accountability and unwavering integrity within the FIA” and remains “steadfast in my dedication” as President of the FIA, Sulayem concluded.
The 62-year-old was elected President of the International Automobile Federation in December 2021. Since then, his leadership qualities have repeatedly been the subject of discussion. The relationship with Formula 1 management is considered tense
Horner affair and Wolff complaint weigh on the FIA
And even though Sulayem’s own case has been officially settled, the FIA cannot rest. On the one hand, the conflict surrounding Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, who was internally acquitted for alleged misconduct towards a female employee but whose case has now ended up at the FIA, is smouldering. This is because she is said to have lodged a complaint with the relevant FIA committees.
Furthermore, just hours after Sulayem was cleared by the Ethics Commission, Susie Wolff announced that she had filed a criminal complaint against the FIA.
This relates to the investigation into an alleged conflict of interest that the association initiated in December 2023. The allegation: Susie Wolff, Head of the F1 Academy, had leaked confidential information to her husband Toto Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal. The accusation turned out to be false
