In the round-up: FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem says he is “overwhelmed” by the support of the governing body’s membership after being cleared over alleged interference in two rounds of last year’s world championship.
In brief
Ben Sulayem hits out at critics
Ben Sulayem said “the media try to massacre me and assassinate me” following the allegations over his actions at the Saudi Arabian and Las Vegas grands prix last year, which an FIA Ethics Committee cleared him of a month ago.
“I am active,” he told Grand Prix 247. “Look at the support. Go on the FIA website. I am overwhelmed by the support of the members.”
The FIA has published letters from three groups of member clubs in recent months declaring their support for Ben Sulayem. Some urged him to take legal action against those behind the claims. “It is the [FIA] members who put me here,” he said. “It is not the media, nor the drivers, nor the F1 teams.”
Ben Sulayem said his critics “don’t have the courage and the guts to come to me.”
“I can stand tall and look you in the eyes, as a sportsman for 40 years, there are rules that I respect. If I did not respect the rules, I would not be here.”
“I know who is behind it but I can’t say,” he added.
New Thai Grand Prix rumours
Alexander Albon may have a another home race in the future as Thailand has begun discussions over holding a round of the world championship.Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali met with Thai prime minister Srettha Thavisin to discuss the possibility of holding a race in the country’s capital Bangkok. Thavisin said his government is “ready to fully facilitate” a race in the country. “I sincerely hope that this trip to Thailand to explore the possibility of expanding the Formula 1 competition in Thailand will allow the company to gain insights and surveyed and studied the route that shows Thailand’s potential to host a Formula One competition.”
Thailand’s previous bid for an F1 race, which was originally supposed to take place on a street circuit in Bangkok in 2014, was scuppered by a military coup that year during which much of its constitution was suspended.
Thavisin’s appointment as prime minister last year was controversial. A businessmen with no prior experience in government, he took the role when the country’s powerful military acted to install a representative of the Pheu Thai party in charge, favouring the runners-up in the previous election over the victorious Move Forward Party.
No damage fears after Tsunoda’s car falls
All soft for three races after Miami
Pirelli will bring its softest tyre mix for the three rounds which follow the next event in Miami. The C3, C4 and C5 tyres have been nominated for the Emilia-Romagna, Monaco and Canadian Grand Prix. This is the same nomination as last year, though the Imola race was cancelled.
Herbert alleges death threats in promotional quotes
Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert, who was among the four-person stewards panel at the Australian Grand Prix, said he has received death threats from supporters of Fernando Alonso in reaction to his penalty at that race. Herbert’s quotes, reported elsewhere, were distributed by a casino which is seeking promotional links.
Bortoleto quickest as F2 test begins
Gabriele Bortoleto led the first day of Formula 2’s test at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain. The Invicta driver’s best time of 1’25.143 put him three-hundredths of a second ahead of Jak Crawford for DAMS.
A cold, wet day greeted the drivers but conditions improved over the two sessions. Two red flag interruptions were caused by Ritomo Miyata and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the latter spinning off at the high-speed turn nine.
AI cars to race at Yas Marina
Four AI-controlled Super Formula racing cars will compete together on-track as the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League begins this weekend. Eight teams from Europe, the USA and the Middle East will take part in the event at the Yas Marina.
The overall winner will be decided by a series of events including the Lap Test, Speed Test and Overtaking Challenge. A separate event will also pit one of the autonomous machines against a real racing driver – ex-F1 racer Daniil Kvyat.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Links
Motor racing links of interest:
Ferrari poised to announce Hewlett-Packard as title sponsor (Sport Business)
'For HP, the deal further signals its appetite to acquire premium sports sponsorship rights. In February, HP announced that it would become Real Madrid’s first-ever sleeve sponsor.'
'It’s been a real pleasure owning what is one of the most famous cars belonging to a true sporting legend and the thrill of driving Senna’s car never goes away.'
Ted Toleman obituary (The Guardian)
'Bob died from head injuries inflicted in an accident at Snetterton in 1976, while Ted’s appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans that year, undertaken 'to satisfy an itch to drive down the Mulsanne straight at 200mph', ended in a crash on his first lap.'
Hypercar manufacturers braced for two-car mandate (Sportscar 365)
'If you push (manufacturers) for a two-car entry, you must provide two entries (to them). The WEC needs to figure this out taking into account all the different teams. They have a hard decision to take.'
We always endeavour to credit original sources. If you have a tip for a link relating to single-seater motorsport to feature in the next RaceFans round-up please send it to us via the contact form.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Social media
Notable posts from X (formerly Twitter), TikTok and more:
Something special for the USA 🇺🇸 this season. Really looking forward to driving with this helmet at all the US Grands Prix ✌️
You can get your scale model helmet at https://t.co/46lRXQtA7q pic.twitter.com/02LJgLRL1Z
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) April 23, 2024
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
- Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory
Comment of the day
Lance Stroll has exhausted Laraine’s patience:
I was always a fan of Lance Stroll, thinking he was always given bad press because of being the son of Lawrence Stroll, the owner of Aston Martin.
I was the one who was wrong. Give the seat next year to Carlos Sainz Jnr instead (in my dreams). Lucky to have Fernando Alonso, he is doing a great job.
Laraine Rowles
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Mags, Tim and Pete Walker!
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
24th April 2024, 1:18
Damn, that’s a new level of victimism!
Jay
24th April 2024, 2:32
From Ben or Johnny?
Mayrton
24th April 2024, 7:11
It is nowadays trend in the world, the nr 1 response to any form of criticism (as opposed to growing a pair or owning up to their own part in a story).
S
24th April 2024, 7:31
What is his part in this (alleged) story?
Criticism and damaging the reputation of others is the modern trend at play here. It’s everywhere.
You can’t deny that he’s right about the court of public opinion. We don’t know all the facts, but many seem to have made up their mind already….
Tristan
24th April 2024, 12:00
It’s not a trend, it’s a requirement. May be different in your personal life, but in business it’s liability.
bonbonjai
24th April 2024, 13:24
Yikes, I agree. I do think though this is been lost in translation. (well I hope so)
MichaelN
24th April 2024, 13:50
Not really, it’s obvious that some parties are out to take him and his administration down a notch. The English The Telegraph is their outlet of choice, and they continue to put out negative stories about the FIA president at a steady pace. It’s thus no surprise that the people who voice a dislike for the FIA president are rarely able to do so for reasons other than references to some alleged ‘controversy’.
The latest saga with the frivolous ethics complaints show this is a serious conflict playing out behind the scenes. And while nobody is being named yet, the list of people with an interest in these antics is quite short.
Leroy (@g-funk)
24th April 2024, 2:24
Ben Sulayem should talk to his friends in Saudi Arabia if he wants to know what it’s like to really try to massacre and assassinate someone
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
24th April 2024, 9:50
I suggest reaching out to Westerners such as Americans, Brits, Germans, French… Their historical record in terms of mass killing and eth-nic clean-sing is far more brilliant, surpassing that of the Saudis.
BamBoomBots
24th April 2024, 11:48
Whataboutism.
The criticism on Saudi-Arabia is very well grounded
Tristan
24th April 2024, 13:20
Right now, criticism of the U.S. and their support of Israel could/should just about be grounds for the Russian treatment. It’s quite hypocritical that there’s only one country that can’t fly their flag in international sporting events with the level of destruction and cost to human life as it is.
The lack of condemnation or even a passing mention is disappointing. But, bring on Miami! Woo ‘Murica! Guns n stuff.
bonbonjai
24th April 2024, 13:26
The key word in your comment is “historical” just saying.
Elvira
24th April 2024, 23:03
You aren’t paying attention.
Urvaksh (@thedoctor03)
25th April 2024, 5:09
Doesn’t mean it needs to be forgiven and forgotten as if it never happened!
MichaelN
24th April 2024, 14:03
@tifoso1989 You have to remember that when Westerners do it it’s either a ‘mistake’ or ‘in the past’, and the latter is to be taken very literal as anything that didn’t happen today qualifies.
Leroy (@g-funk)
24th April 2024, 19:39
@Tifoso1989 Classic Whataboutism that doesn’t disprove anything I wrote but tries to deflect.
Urvaksh (@thedoctor03)
25th April 2024, 5:08
Really well said, Tifoso. But I don’t think you’ll be able to change ignorant views by some folks here…
Crawliin-from-the-wreckage (@davedai)
24th April 2024, 11:46
William Calley, My Lai anyone?
Seems a lot of images have been taken down smiling soldiers with human head pyramids.
Probably too much, just stick to the napalm carpet bom-bing of other vilages
Palindnilap (@palindnilap)
24th April 2024, 13:06
Indeed, given the gruelling circumstances of Jamal Khashoggi’s assassination (among others) and the sportwashing politics of Saudi Arabia, those comments are at best very unfortunate.
Alianora La Canta (@alianora-la-canta)
24th April 2024, 18:18
@g-funk Is this a good time to mention that Ben is Emirati not Saudi? It’s a bit like telling David Coulthard he’s English, and then throwing in a tropish, racially-charged and almost certainly inaccurate criticism reliant on that error.
Leroy (@g-funk)
24th April 2024, 19:34
@alianora-la-canta I never suggested he was Saudi. I said he has Saudi friends. It’s a bit like you didn’t read what I actually wrote and then jumped to a wholly inaccurate conclusion that suggested more about your own prejudices than others.
bull mello (@bullmello)
24th April 2024, 3:09
COTD – Good idea Laraine! Sainz to Aston Martin.
Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
24th April 2024, 13:27
But where would Nando go?
BasCB (@bascb)
24th April 2024, 15:23
:-)
Tristan
24th April 2024, 4:16
Weird and strange, if Herbert cared at all he would liaise with authorities to identify the culprits, work with FOM to get them banned from events… You see this kind of activity from other major sporting leagues to send a message. But no, sell the quotes through some weird online gambling landing page that has nothing to do with F1. Brilliant!
Jere (@jerejj)
24th April 2024, 5:51
So another possible Asian location for a future GP & of course, a temporary one rather than the already-existing Burinam circuit.
The alleged drop by marshals wasn’t shown on the world feed, so I didn’t realize such a thing had happened until today.
Somewhat incompetent by them, though, to fail at a relatively simple task.
People easily resort to death threats these days over more or less anything.
S
24th April 2024, 7:41
Buriram is way out in the countryside – and although a Grade 1 circuit, it isn’t set up the way F1 (FOM) likes to operate.
F1 will never go there.
some racing fan
24th April 2024, 5:53
Well if you weren’t so incompetent and outrageously manipulative, then you would get better press.
Jungle
24th April 2024, 8:23
Massacre and assassinate such strong words and a little unsuitable by definition. Might I suggest.
“The media try to whip me with a wet noodle”!
Alianora La Canta (@alianora-la-canta)
24th April 2024, 18:21
From what I’ve seen, most of the media are lending him more support than the facts warrant (with a few notable exceptions). The criticism is mostly coming directly from people who think Ben is wrong about certain things.
SteveP
24th April 2024, 21:00
I think you’re mixed up – that would be a Trump / Stormy Daniels headline. :)
Yes (@come-on-kubica)
24th April 2024, 8:57
I thought Jean Todt was bad – where have they dug this guy from and why is he the head of a motorsport regulator? He’s just bringing the sport into disrepute. What has he contributed or added other than mild incompetence on the sporting side.
S
24th April 2024, 10:23
Well, you were right.
What F1 is now comes very much down to his decisions to give F1’s commercial rights holder so much more power to determine who competes in F1, how many events they have and where they are held than they ever had before.
He hasn’t really done anything to F1 at all – certainly not anything particularly negative. He’s actually quite protective of it, as it is in the FIA’s (his organisation) best interest to make sure it isn’t priced out of reach for the people who want to watch it and participate in it in the present and future. His opposition to Liberty’s over-reaching control and methodology is exactly what F1 needs for long-term security and sustainability.
Tristan
24th April 2024, 11:37
There’s the international motorsports games, and FIA promoting carting / junior open wheel formulas… Just because you’re not paying attention doesn’t mean nothing is happening. Rude to call someone incompetent when you don’t even know what’s going at the company they are running.
I’m no big fan of Sulayem, but ignorance is no excuse for criticism. He was a rally driver btw, and FIA is apparantly democracy… He’s as good for the role as anyone else might be.
MichaelN
24th April 2024, 14:10
The job of the FIA president is not to micromanage everything that goes on in the organization.
Robert Reid is responsible for sporting affairs in his role as deputy-president, in which he assisted by Nikolas Tombazis, the director for single seater racing.
BasCB (@bascb)
24th April 2024, 15:24
The Saudi sporting body has a LOT of money to buy the votes of member clubs.
Alianora La Canta (@alianora-la-canta)
24th April 2024, 18:25
@bascb As well as zero motive to do so, given there are actual Saudi Arabians who might want the top job if they thought they could get the role.
Alianora La Canta (@alianora-la-canta)
24th April 2024, 18:24
@come-on-kubica Ben came from the Emirates Motorsports Organization, which is the national sporting authority for the United Arab Emirates. His background is in motorsports administration, which on the face of it would be expected to be a good background for the leader of a motorsports administration. His biggest achievement prior to getting elected was 8 years leading the Motor Sport Development Task Force, which aimed to boost the globalisation of motorsport. That appears to have been a great success, although it’s always hard to tell exactly how to divide the credit in such situations.
Ben is head of the FIA because he got more votes than the British representative who was his only challenger at the last FIA election (Jean Todt stood down due to term limits). Bear in mind that each representative has to present a 22-person panel, each representing a different country and representing different regions on Earth (I can’t remember exactly how many regions, but they definitely have to be from at least 3 different continents), so it’s not possible to win simply by concentrating on a single continent.
Where Ben came from isn’t the issue. It’s what he’s done since election, and I’m not sure he realises quite how big a series of mistakes he’s made, or how poor a job he’s done of defending himself. His base might like it but he’s opening up lawsuits against himself and the FIA, which means this is likely to come back to bite him.
RH
24th April 2024, 19:00
He is democratically elected.
SteveP
24th April 2024, 21:05
I’m curious, if he knows, for a provable fact then why not say?
I can think of two reasons:
1. There is legal process in motion
2. The proof requires transparency and that transparency would be more damaging to him than the items to date