F1 News: FIA President Argues For Change To "See Motorsport Grow"

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem focuses on making karting more affordable and simplifying motorsport rules to nurture future F1 talent.

In a recent statement, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasised the necessity of making karting more accessible to uncover future Formula 1 stars. Highlighting the high costs associated with the sport, he proposed standardised rules and simpler technology to reduce financial burdens for young aspirants.

Key Takeaways:

• Affordability in Karting: Ben Sulayem pinpointed the exorbitant costs of kart racing, essential for nurturing future F1 talent. He proposed standardising requirements and simplifying technology to cut costs, making the sport more accessible.
• Comparison with Simpler Sports: The president lamented the complexity of motor racing compared to sports like football, which enjoys simpler rules and wider accessibility. He expressed a desire to simplify motorsport to grow its base.
• Financial Challenges of the FIA: In light of a recent disagreement with predecessor Jean Todt, Ben Sulayem revealed the FIA's financial struggles. He discussed efforts to reduce operating costs from €30 million to under €8 million, emphasising a cautious, step-by-step approach to financial management.

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FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has stressed the need to make karting more affordable to help identify the next generation of F1 drivers. He underscored the importance of this entry-level category, from which all current F1, F2, and F3 drivers have emerged.

According to Ben Sulayem, the costs of karting are prohibitively high, with a season potentially costing upwards of €275,000 for a child. 

“Who can afford to pay €275,000 [per season] for their 10-year-old child? That is not possible.

“Karting is so expensive. We therefore want to standardise the requirements and then reduce the costs. After all, we want to see motorsport grow.

“All the drivers in Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula 3 come from karting. And that’s where we need to start.”

Comparing motor racing to football, Ben Sulayem expressed a desire to simplify the sport. 

“It’s [football] such a simple sport.

“There are simple rules with eleven players on each side and one ball. But we have so many different rules. I want to change that.”

In addressing the financial status of the FIA, Ben Sulayem revealed a previous confrontation with Jean Todt over the organisation's financial situation. He claimed the FIA had been operating at a loss for decades, with costs as high as €30 million annually before he managed to reduce them to just under €8 million. This reduction, however, was not achieved without challenges. 

“You can’t just go and cut everything. That’s not healthy,” he stated.