F1 under fire: the new rules of Mohammed Ben Sulayem unleash the controversy

Formula 1, the pinnacle of global motoring, is in the eye of the hurricane. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), has shaken the paddock with an announcement that has lit the alarms: the proposal of new rules that, according to nearby sources, seek to consolidate their power at the head of the governing body. This movement, which some qualify as a bold attempt to perpetuate their mandate, has unleashed a wave of outrage among pilots, teams and fans, who see in these measures an authoritarian turn that threatens the spirit of the competition. What is really happening behind the doors of the FIA? Join us to discover it.

Since he assumed the presidency in 2021, Ben Sulayem, former pilot of rallies and influential figure in the motor world, has been a polarizing presence. Its management has been marked by controversial decisions, from strict sanctions for the language of the pilots to clashes with Liberty Media, the commercial owners of the F1. Now, the new proposed rules have brought the tension to a new level. According to filtered documents, the President plans to modify the statutes of the FIA ​​to strengthen his control, including changes in the composition of the Senate and the World Council, as well as adjustments in the electoral calendar that would make the candidacy of possible rivals difficult, such as the legendary Carlos Sainz Mr. these reforms, which will be discussed in the face of the December 2025 elections, have been interpreted as an attempt to blend their position against their position growing criticism.

The pilots have not taken their voice to raise. George Russell, president of the Association of Pilots of Grand Awards, has led the protests, arguing that these measures restrict freedom of expression and undermine the rights of competitors. The drop that filled the glass was the introduction of disproportionate economic sanctions, which triple fines for F1 pilots compared to other categories, and the obligation to attend official events of the FIA ​​under a threat of suspension. The image of a gala in a remote place, with pilots forced to attend, has fueled discontent. Even figures such as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have expressed their frustration, remembering past incidents where FIA ​​decisions have generated controversy, such as the sanction reverted to Fernando Alonso in the GP of Saudi Arabia of 2023.

But the controversy does not end there. Ben Sulayem has also proposed to limit protests against the commissioners, eliminating the possibility of multiple appeals and establishing a system that, according to critics, reduces transparency and legal certainty in sport. At a time when F1 enjoys unprecedented popularity, with record audiences and the arrival of an eleventh team in 2026, these measures have been seen as a step back. Fans, always attentive to every detail, have flooded social networks with criticism, some even remembering the sound boo to the FIA ​​logo during the F175 event in London. The question that floats in the air is whether these rules are a genuine effort to improve sport or a political maneuver to strengthen power.

Despite the storm, Ben Sulayem defends his vision. In recent statements, he has insisted that his reforms seek to guarantee the sustainability and growth of motoring, citing initiatives such as the introduction of sustainable V10 engines and greater diversity in the selection of commissioners. However, his words have not calmed the waters. With Tim Mayer’s candidacy, former FIA commissioner, announced as a direct challenge to his leadership, December elections promise to be a battlefield. The F1 community, from the circuits to the online forums, awaits with expectation the next chapter of this saga.

Formula 1 has always been synonymous with speed, passion and drama, but this time the show is out of the track. While engines rugen in the circuits, the fight for the control of the FIA ​​is redefining the future of sport. Will Ben Sulayem achieve his legacy, or will this be the beginning of his fall? One thing is safe: in F1, nothing is written to the checkered flag.