F1 News: FIA President Under Investigation After Allegedly Intervening With Race

The FIA president is under investigation.

FIA's head, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, faces scrutiny over claims of meddling in the outcome of a Formula 1 race. An insider has accused him of attempting to annul a penalty against Fernando Alonso during the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Key Takeaways:

• Mohammed Ben Sulayem is accused of trying to reverse Fernando Alonso's penalty at the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP.
• A whistleblower's report to the FIA's ethics committee has sparked the investigation.
• The controversy has added to a series of contentious issues surrounding Ben Sulayem's presidency.

Red Bull Content Pool

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the FIA President, finds himself at the centre of a contentious investigation. Allegations have surfaced suggesting Ben Sulayem may have improperly influenced the outcome of a pivotal moment in Formula 1 racing, casting a shadow over the integrity of the sport's governance.

The incident in question revolves around Fernando Alonso who faced a penalty during the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. It has come to light that a whistleblower approached the FIA, claiming that Ben Sulayem intervened to have Alonso's penalty rescinded. As reported by BBC Sport, this allegation, detailed in a report by FIA compliance officer Paolo Basarri, is now under the scrutiny of the ethics committee.

Ben Sulayem's alleged interference is said to have involved a direct appeal to Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamas bin Isa Al Khalifa, the FIA's vice-president for the Middle East and North Africa region, urging a reconsideration of Alonso's penalty. The penalty itself was a consequence of a procedural error during a pit stop, where Alonso's car was serviced before the stipulated time had elapsed, breaching F1's stringent regulations.

This development is the latest in a series of controversies that have marred Ben Sulayem's tenure since his election in December 2021. His presidency has been punctuated by disputes, including an aborted compliance inquiry into Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and a backlash over comments perceived as misogynistic.

The potential fallout from this investigation is significant, with the FIA's ethics committee expected to deliver its findings in the coming weeks. The implications extend beyond the immediate case, casting a long shadow over Ben Sulayem's leadership and the broader governance of Formula 1. 

Keep up with the latest news on YouTube!