FIA President Cleared of Interference Allegations
The FIA’s Ethics Committee has cleared FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem of any wrongdoing after investigating two separate allegations of sporting interference. The committee conducted a 30-day investigation, which included interviews with 11 witnesses, and concluded that the claims were unsubstantiated.
Allegation 1: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Interference
The first allegation against Ben Sulayem claimed that he applied pressure to the stewards overseeing last year’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to overturn Fernando Alonso’s time penalty. The penalty dropped Alonso from third to fourth place, but it was later overturned after an appeal by the Aston Martin team. The Ethics Committee found no evidence to support this allegation.
Allegation 2: Las Vegas Street Circuit Approval
The second allegation accused Ben Sulayem of attempting to block the certification of the Las Vegas street circuit, which would have put the race’s running at risk. F1 had invested over half a billion dollars in the race, and the track layout incorporated the famous Strip. The approval was delayed due to ongoing construction work but was eventually granted shortly before the race week. The committee found no evidence to support this allegation either.
Ben Sulayem’s Cooperation and Compliance
The FIA’s statement confirming Ben Sulayem’s clearance praised his complete cooperation, transparency, and compliance throughout the investigation. It is clear that the Ethics Committee appreciated his willingness to participate fully in the process.
Ben Sulayem’s History of Scrutiny
This latest scrutiny is not the first time Ben Sulayem has faced controversy during his tenure as FIA president. In January 2023, he claimed that a $20 billion valuation of F1 was inflated, which led to a legal warning from Liberty Media, the series’ owner. There have also been conflicts between the FIA and Liberty Media over the possibility of accepting Andretti to join the grid. Furthermore, comments made by Ben Sulayem in 2000, where he expressed sexist views, resurfaced early last year.
Investigation into Toto and Susie Wolff
The FIA launched an investigation into Toto and Susie Wolff, alleging a conflict of interest due to Toto being the Mercedes team principal and Susie being the F1 Academy managing director. However, the investigation faced strong opposition from Mercedes, F1, Susie, and other F1 teams. Susie highlighted concerns over the investigation, calling it intimidatory and misogynistic. The investigation concluded after two days, with appropriate protective measures put in place to mitigate any potential conflicts.
Remaining Questions for the FIA
Recent reports have raised questions about the FIA’s compliance process. It was revealed that Ben Sulayem privately asked Max Verstappen to publicly support Red Bull team boss Christian Horner amidst allegations of inappropriate behavior. Verstappen refused to confirm or deny the conversation. Additionally, an internal power struggle at Red Bull following the allegations has led to tension within the team.
The FIA has faced criticism regarding its compliance process, but it released a statement explaining that inquiries and complaints are handled by the Compliance Officer and the Ethics Committee with strict confidentiality. The governing body cannot confirm the receipt of specific complaints and may not provide further comment on them.
The Female Employee’s Complaint
In addition to the allegations against Ben Sulayem, a female employee from Red Bull Racing has been suspended with pay following allegations of misconduct. The employee has lodged a complaint with Red Bull GmbH and the FIA. However, there has been no response from either party at this time.
In conclusion, the FIA’s Ethics Committee has cleared Mohammed Ben Sulayem of any wrongdoing regarding the allegations of sporting interference. Despite a history of controversies during his tenure as FIA president, Ben Sulayem’s cooperation and compliance throughout the investigation were appreciated. However, questions remain regarding the FIA’s compliance process, as recent reports have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and misconduct within the sport.