F1 News: FIA President Stands Firm On Role In Formula One - "We Are Not A Service Provider!"

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has spoken out his position in Formula One.

FIA President Mohamed Ben Sulayem has made a strong statement about his position in Formula 1, emphasising his leadership role and the FIA's authority in the sport. This stance comes amidst the ongoing tug-of-war for control between the FIA and Formula One Management (FOM), owned by Liberty Media since 2017.

Key Takeaways:

• Asserting FIA's Influence: Under President Mohamed Ben Sulayem's guidance, the FIA is actively working to reinforce its stake in the governance of Formula 1. This effort is set against the backdrop of the sport's shared administration with FOM, which is responsible for its commercial aspects.
• Advocating for Transparency and Equity: Ben Sulayem has voiced his commitment to ensuring "clarity and fairness" in the management of Formula 1. He underscores the FIA's significant role beyond being a mere service provider, advocating for constructive disagreements as a path to optimal results.
• Dedication to FIA's Objectives: The president highlights his allegiance to the FIA's non-commercial goals, distinguishing it from FOM's profit-driven approach. He confirms the FIA's focus on reinvesting in the sport, particularly in enhancing stewardship and race direction.

Red Bull Content Pool

Since his election as FIA president in December 2021, Mohamed Ben Sulayem has not shied away from expressing his views on the authority's role in Formula 1. Ben Sulayem is keen on maintaining a degree of control as the sport continues to grow.

His assertive stance has previously led to friction with Liberty Media, especially following his comments on a Saudi Arabian-backed bid for the commercial rights and his proposal to increase the number of teams on the grid. In his conversation with Motorsport Magazin, Ben Sulayem said:

“I’m just asking for clarity and fairness. I am not involved in the stock price or ticket sales. We just need fairness here, that’s my mission.

“We define clarity between ourselves and the FOM, Liberty. That’s good. We need to understand who I represent. I represent the head of the house. We are not a service provider! No, we are not. I keep saying that and I believe it too.

“But friction is sometimes healthy to bring out the best. It’s like with your body: if you wake up in the morning with pain, then at least you know that something is wrong.”

Red Bull Content Pool

The FIA president continued:

“We want the best for the sport. I’ll tell you one thing, I’ll say it very humbly and clearly: you won’t wake up tomorrow and the FIA ​​is no longer there. For others it is different.

“Liberty also has the right to sell the lease to another company. Tomorrow it could no longer be with them, but with someone else. Then I have to get along with them. That is the difference between us.

“I respect them, they are here for profit. That’s why they bought it. Why else would they buy the lease? They are smart people and I support them.

“But at the same time I was elected by the members of the FIA ​​to do the best for the FIA. I don’t get paid, I don’t complain about it, I already knew that.

“We are a non-profit association. What we get doesn’t go to shareholders or directors. Investments are being made again in equipment and training to develop better stewards and race directors.”