It is almost half-time in Formula 1. The struggle for the driver’s title also after the Grand Prix of Austria on Sunday in Spielberg, the McLaren driver Lando Norris won ahead of team-mate Oscar Piatri. Nothing is decided. But one has already won the big race with the most important racing series of motorsport.
Mohamed Ben Sulayem smiled on Sunday, while walking through the start and home straight of the Spielberg course, a swing for potentates, fees and Adabeis during the starting line-up in Styria. The President of the International Automobile Association (FIA) will be able to further indulge in his tendency to show and be seen shortly before the Grand Prix and, above all, shortly afterwards, for example, when the winner’s mandatory weighing. Because for a few days it has been certain that no one will overtake him until the re -election in December. Attack mashed.
As a surprise, this news was sold shortly before Formula 1 appeared to the eleventh race of this season. Because Carlos Sainz Sr., Once Rally World Champion, father of Williams driver Carlos Sainz Jr. Not from a candidacy, as claimed here and there.
Partly erratic leadership style
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The Spaniard had only thought out loud in spring that he might want to compete against Ben Sulayem. Formula 1 pilots and team bosses immediately positioned themselves for his support. Rarely was it so openly taken from the paddock against a president in office. Why?
Ben Sulayem noticed with a partly erratic leadership style. He was more or less specifically accused the personal influence on decisions of route commissioners or attacks on team bosses such as Toto Wolff (Mercedes) because of a conflict of interest. The FIA had the procedure followed by an investigation order almost in no time.
At the same time, the personnel fluctuation in his association seemed to run as quickly as a pit stop in racing. Driver, including George Russell, one of the directors of the GPDA driver’s representative, criticized poor transparency in decisions by the route commissioners in the event of traffic violations. Different penalties for the same rule violations regularly brought pilots to the palm.
Signals to Sainz
The desire for transparency is not exactly one of the core virtues in the entire operation. But the British broadcaster BBC, always well taught about the English Formula 1 power, described in mid-May how Ben Sulayem intends to secure his presidency out of office. Among other things, the deadline for registration of a candidacy should be extended before the election. To have more time to have the quality of the candidates checked by the ethics committee. Especially integrity.
To court an interesting point for a private company that is nonchalant, a race fraudster like Flavio Briatore, responsible for manipulation of the Singapore 2008 Grand Prize (Crashgate). In any case, Sulayem opponents evaluate this change of statutes and other changes in favor of a greater influence of Ben Sulayem from Dubai’s choice of members in influential committees as the cementation of his power.
The BBC published a letter from the Austrian automotive association ÖMTC, in which the delegates of the FIA general assembly are asked not to agree to the changes. Vain. A large majority, 88.83 percent, voted in the sense of the FIA boss. Another signal to Sainz, not to try it at all. The Spaniard is the winner type. As someone who only starts when he has a chance to triumph.
But he probably already knew how far Ben Sulayem was going ahead. Just after Sainz Senior thought loudly about his interest, a letter from 36 member associations of the FIA appeared by praising the signatories of their president. According to FAZ information, Sainz was suggested in a conversation weeks ago not to pursue his idea any further. Because he has to travel through the world for a majority of the voice.
It is not Formula 1 that chooses the President, but the member associations of the FIA, which, to a large extent, do not have motorsport, but the FIA mobility program in mind. Sainz would be naive if he didn’t know that. Even the idea, which is seriously pronounced in the paddock, that there would be no conflict of interest, if the father of a Formula 1 racing driver FIA President becomes, is more of a test of another strategy: to only threaten to change. On Thursday, the FIA released the penalty catalog for traffic offenses for the first time.
Key Takeaways from the FIA Presidential Race
| Feature | detail |
| —————————- | —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– |
| Leading Figure | Mohamed Ben Sulayem: Incumbent FIA President, facing scrutiny for his leadership style and potential conflicts of interest. |
| Challenger(s) | Carlos Sainz Sr. (potential): Rally World Champion, who considered challenging Ben Sulayem but ultimately did not pursue a candidacy. |
| Key Issues | Leadership style criticised (erratic), openness concerns regarding decision-making, potential conflicts of interest involving route commissioners and team bosses, concerns over the appointment of certain individuals who had been involved with race fixing- like Flavio Briatore.|
| FIA Actions | Extended the deadline for candidacy registration, changes too statutes to increase the influence of Ben Sulayem, appointment of individuals perceived to be allies. |
| Voting Outcome | FIA member associations voted overwhelmingly (88.83%) in favor of the changes proposed by Ben Sulayem, signaling a resistance to change. |
| Impact on F1 | Decisions from the FIA are central to the sport of Formula 1, and thus have a huge impact on the sport, from the track to the regulations imposed on the drivers. |
| Transparency Concerns | Drivers, including George Russell, have criticized a lack of transparency in the penalties handed down, with different penalties occurring for similar violations, which brought the legitimacy of the FIA into question. |
FAQ Section
Q: Who is Mohamed Ben Sulayem?
A: Mohamed Ben Sulayem is the current President of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), the governing body for Formula 1 and other motorsport disciplines. He was elected in December 2021 by FIA member associations [[1]].
Q: What is the FIA?
A: The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), also known as the International Automobile Federation, is a non-profit association that represents the interests of motoring organizations and motor car users. It is the governing body for a number of racing series, including Formula 1 [[2]].
Q: What is the main role of the FIA in Formula 1?
A: The FIA is responsible for setting and enforcing the rules and regulations of Formula 1. They also oversee safety measures, the race calendar, and the appointment of race officials. The FIA is in charge of the safety and sport of Formula 1, providing fairness around vital safety requirements.
Q: Why were some Formula 1 pilots and team bosses concerned about Ben Sulayem’s leadership?
A: Some within the sport raised concerns about Ben Sulayem’s leadership style, citing a lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest. Some decisions in the FIA were called into question by drivers and team bosses. This was made, in part, by the appointment of individuals that had been involved with racing scandals, such as Flavio Briatore who was involved in the manipulation of the Singapore 2008 Grand Prize (Crashgate).
Q: Who is Carlos Sainz Sr.?
A: Carlos Sainz Sr. is a former rally world champion and the father of current Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr. While there was consideration that he would challenge current FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem, Carlos sinz Sr. decided against a candidacy.
Q: What is the importance of the FIA member associations’ vote?
A: The strong vote in favor of Ben Sulayem’s proposed changes indicates the FIA member associations’ solid support of his leadership.
Q: Where does the FIA get its power?
A: The FIA’s power comes from its role as the governing body of the sport and the support of its member associations, who have the power to choose the president.
