FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem Accused of Sexism and Bullying After Controversial Past

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem is under more pressure after a controversial couple of years.

In an exclusive from The Telegraph, it's been reported that FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been met with allegations of sexism and bullying. Shaila-Ann Rao, an interim secretary general for motorsport has sent a letter to Sulayem and Carmelo Sanz de Barros, the president of the FIA Senate, outlining the alleged behaviour before she left the organisation in December.

According to The Telegraph's article, they've spoken to a number of other current and former staff of the FIA who have supported these claims of such behaviour. Despite this, Rao has failed to comment. 

An FIA spokesperson said the following:

"Shaila-Ann Rao was a temporary director at the FIA from June 1 2022 and then became interim secretary general for motor sport.

"In Nov 2022 it was decided by both parties that she would leave that position. Mutual privacy terms have been agreed as is commonplace in business.

"Neither party has made a reference to the FIA Ethics Committee."

With the FIA president now under investigation, a report will be sent to the senate who can decide to "take further action". 

A history of such actions

Sulayem has a history of allegations similar to this, and he was witnessed shouting at Rao in the FIA paddock at the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix. 

“He was very condescending to her,” a source told the Telegraph. “I’ve had team principals call me who said ‘You should have seen how he treated Shaila-Ann’ and it was in front of other people. He would have a go at her in a very unqualified manner. That’s how he was. Shaila-Ann dared to say no in front of other people which seemed to trigger his behaviour.”

Tension between Sulayem and F1

Since Sulayem took over from Jean Todt at the end of the 2021 season, he's been in the thick of drama with the result of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix being the first of many controversial moments. 

He later tweeted, remarking about the value of the F1 - owned by Liberty Media - and was told he could be liable for damage. On top of this, he came under fire when drivers were told they had to limit their personal and political views. 

Two sides to every story

As always, there are two sides to every story, and a number of people interviewed by The Telegraph admitted that he wasn't sexist. 

“You have to remember he comes from a very different culture,” said one. 

Another hit back: 

“Yes, he is from a very conservative culture but that doesn’t make it acceptable. Bullying may not be something he does exclusively to women, but when he does it to women it says something about him.”

A third source said:

“There is cultural pressure on him, I think as an Emirati, on issues such as women and LGBTQ.

“But I don’t think he disagrees with those very traditional, conservative views. The FIA dressed up [the rules on political messaging] as falling in line with the Olympic charter but that’s bull----. They reflect his beliefs.”

Sulayem has stepped back from F1 after his notable controversies, and this season has ridden very low under the radar. Despite this, he's expected to be at the paddock for this upcoming race weekend in Baku.