Simply over 1,000 days in the past, FIA president Jean Todt stepped down from his place on the finish of his third time period – the final allowed underneath the federation’s statutes – with an election held to find out his successor.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, a 14-times Center East Rally champion, efficiently received the election over Todt’s former deputy Graham Stoker with virtually two-thirds of votes from the physique’s worldwide membership.
Over the just about three years of his presidency, Ben Sulayem has turn into a reputation and face that System 1 followers particularly have turn into very aware of. A much more seen presence at grands prix than his predecessor, Ben Sulayem has been a daily attendee in parc ferme after qualifying periods and races in addition to on the post-race podium, presenting FIA winner’s medals to the driving force first throughout the end line.
Off the monitor, Ben Sulayem has been an energetic participant within the political world of System 1. He spearheaded the opening of purposes to seek out potential new groups to affix the world championship – a lot to the bemusement of System One Administration and the ten present groups, who had zero need amongst them to open up the game to newcomers.
The FIA president has additionally been topic to criticism from sections of the media, in addition to followers and even some F1 drivers, for controversial actions and feedback. Previous feedback on his personal private web site from over a decade in the past, which many take into account sexist, re-emerged final yr in an article by The Instances. Allegations about Ben Sulayem interfering within the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix raised by whistleblowers earlier this yr have been dismissed by the FIA’s ethics committee who discovered no proof to substantiate the claims.
Most not too long ago, present world champion Max Verstappen successfully boycotted the FIA’s official press conferences throughout the Singapore Grand Prix in response to a punishment to finish ‘some work of public curiosity’ that he obtained for swearing in an earlier press convention. The weird punishment got here simply days after Ben Sulayem had criticised F1 drivers in an interview for repeatedly swearing on group radio.
Ben Sulayem has beforehand complained about his press protection, saying earlier this yr “the media try to massacre me and assassinate me.” He made related feedback once more this week saying: “When you take a look at the British media and what they did to me… for God’s sake, they convicted me,” to Autosport.
“They didn’t accuse me [of anything], however they carry on [going]. And do I care? No. Why? As a result of what are they after? They’re after promoting and getting extra protection for them[selves].”
Ben Sulayem insists that he retains the bulk help of the FIA’s member golf equipment – a few of whom printed statements in help of him following the allegations of interference made towards him earlier this yr. Below the FIA’s statutes, Ben Sulayem and his administration will face re-election on the finish of 2025, as long as an opponent runs towards him, that means Ben Sulayem’s management could possibly be examined in simply over one yr’s time.
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You say
Throughout Todt’s presidency of the governing physique, RaceFans routinely polled you, the readers, about the way you gauged the efficiency of the previous Ferrari group principal in his new position. After 1,000 days of Ben Sulayem’s presidency, now appears an acceptable time to ask how you are feeling about Ben Sulayem’s efficiency as FIA president so far.
As an organisation, the FIA oversees excess of simply System 1 and single-seater motorsport. Its mobility pillar isn’t any much less essential to the organisation, however is usually fully separate from System 1. Beforehand, with Jean Todt, RaceFans solely requested on your evaluation of his efficiency with reference to System 1. Due to this fact, please base your judgement of Ben Sulayem’s efficiency on how his organisation has dealt with F1 issues throughout his time on the helm.
As an F1 fan, do you approve or disapprove of Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s efficiency as FIA President?
- No opinion (12%)
- Disapprove (81%)
- Approve (8%)
Whole Voters: 26
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