RaceFans Round-up: ‘Media try to assassinate me’

Briefly

Ben Sulayem hits out at critics

Ben Sulayem mentioned “the media attempt to bloodbath me and assassinate me” following the allegations over his actions on the Saudi Arabian and Las Vegas grands prix final 12 months, which an FIA Ethics Committee cleared him of a month ago.

“I’m lively,” he told Grand Prix 247. “Have a look at the assist. Go on the FIA web site. I’m overwhelmed by the assist of the members.”

The FIA has printed letters from three teams of member golf equipment in latest months declaring their support for Ben Sulayem. Some urged him to take authorized motion towards these behind the claims. “It’s the [FIA] members who put me right here,” he mentioned. “It’s not the media, nor the drivers, nor the F1 groups.”

Ben Sulayem mentioned his critics “don’t have the braveness and the center to return to me.”

“I can stand tall and look you within the eyes, as a sportsman for 40 years, there are guidelines that I respect. If I didn’t respect the principles, I might not be right here.”

“I do know who’s behind it however I can’t say,” he added.

New Thai Grand Prix rumours

Alexander Albon could have a one other house race sooner or later as Thailand has begun discussions over holding a spherical of the world championship.

Components 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali met with Thai prime minister Srettha Thavisin to debate the potential of holding a race within the nation’s capital Bangkok. Thavisin said his authorities is “prepared to completely facilitate” a race within the nation. “I sincerely hope that this journey to Thailand to discover the potential of increasing the Components 1 competitors in Thailand will permit the corporate to realize insights and surveyed and studied the route that exhibits Thailand’s potential to host a Components One competitors.”

Thailand’s earlier bid for an F1 race, which was initially supposed to take place on a street circuit in Bangkok in 2014, was scuppered by a navy coup that 12 months throughout which a lot of its structure was suspended.

Thavisin’s appointment as prime minister final 12 months was controversial. A businessmen with no prior expertise in authorities, he took the position when the nation’s highly effective navy acted to put in a consultant of the Pheu Thai social gathering in cost, favouring the runners-up within the earlier election over the victorious Transfer Ahead Occasion.

No injury fears after Tsunoda’s automobile falls

RB say they don’t have any considerations over potential injury to Yuki Tsunoda’s chassis after it seemed to be dropped a brief distance by marshals on the Shanghai Worldwide Circuit. They had been recovering his RB 01 after he was taken out of the race by Kevin Magnussen.

All delicate for 3 races after Miami

Pirelli will deliver its softest tyre combine for the three rounds which observe the subsequent occasion in Miami. The C3, C4 and C5 tyres have been nominated for the Emilia-Romagna, Monaco and Canadian Grand Prix. This is similar nomination as final 12 months, although the Imola race was cancelled.

Herbert alleges demise threats in promotional quotes

Former Components 1 driver Johnny Herbert, who was among the many four-person stewards panel on the Australian Grand Prix, mentioned he has acquired demise threats from supporters of Fernando Alonso in response to his penalty at that race. Herbert’s quotes, reported elsewhere, had been distributed by a on line casino which is searching for promotional hyperlinks.

Bortoleto quickest as F2 take a look at begins

Gabriele Bortoleto led the primary day of Components 2’s take a look at on the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain. The Invicta driver’s greatest time of 1’25.143 put him three-hundredths of a second forward of Jak Crawford for DAMS.

A chilly, moist day greeted the drivers however situations improved over the 2 classes. Two crimson flag interruptions had been attributable to Ritomo Miyata and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the latter spinning off on the high-speed flip 9.

AI automobiles to race at Yas Marina

4 AI-controlled Tremendous Components racing automobiles will compete collectively on-track because the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League begins this weekend. Eight groups from Europe, the USA and the Center East will participate within the occasion on the Yas Marina.

The general winner might be determined by a sequence of occasions together with the Lap Check, Pace Check and Overtaking Problem. A separate occasion will even pit one of many autonomous machines towards an actual racing driver – ex-F1 racer Daniil Kvyat.