🔥Breaking News: F1 drivers and teams DEMAND changes from Mohammed Ben Sulayem and the FIA after NEW EVIDENCE emerges. Details in comments 👇👇
🔥Breaking News: F1 drivers and teams DEMAND changes from Mohammed Ben Sulayem and the FIA after NEW EVIDENCE emerges. Details in comments 👇👇
The Formula 1 world is ablaze with controversy as drivers and teams have united in a bold call for reform from the sport’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), and its president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. This unprecedented demand follows the emergence of new evidence that has cast a shadow over the FIA’s governance, raising questions about transparency, fairness, and leadership. The uproar, which has been brewing for months, reached a boiling point in early 2025, with stakeholders in the paddock refusing to remain silent any longer.
Since taking office in December 2021, Ben Sulayem has been a polarizing figure. His tenure has been marked by a series of contentious decisions, from cracking down on drivers’ conduct to allegations of interfering in race outcomes. The latest wave of unrest stems from fresh evidence suggesting irregularities in the FIA’s decision-making processes. While details of the evidence remain closely guarded, sources within the sport indicate it involves discrepancies in how penalties were applied during the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where Fernando Alonso’s 10-second penalty was controversially overturned. This incident, initially attributed to a successful appeal by Aston Martin, has now been linked to alleged interference by Ben Sulayem himself, prompting renewed scrutiny.
The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), led by Mercedes driver George Russell, has been vocal in its criticism. In a rare public statement, the GPDA demanded that the FIA treat drivers with respect and provide clarity on its operations. The association highlighted the need for consistent stewarding and transparency in how fines and penalties are managed. Max Verstappen, who faced a community service order for swearing in a 2024 press conference, and Charles Leclerc, fined €10,000 for similar conduct, have both expressed frustration with what they perceive as heavy-handed governance. Verstappen, in particular, has called for a more collaborative approach, urging the FIA to focus on the sport’s integrity rather than minor infractions.
Teams, too, have joined the chorus of discontent. Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren have reportedly raised concerns about the FIA’s handling of key decisions, including the certification of the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit in 2023. Allegations that Ben Sulayem instructed officials to find faults with the track to prevent its homologation have resurfaced, fueling accusations of mismanagement. These claims, combined with the abrupt dismissals of senior FIA officials like race director Niels Wittich and steward Tim Mayer, have painted a picture of an organization in disarray. The resignation of deputy president for sport Robert Reid in early 2025, who cited a “governance crisis,” has only deepened the sense of instability.
The new evidence, though not fully disclosed, appears to have galvanized the F1 community. Posts on X reflect the sentiment, with fans and insiders speculating about potential legal action and even Ben Sulayem’s ousting ahead of the 2025 FIA presidential election. One post described the situation as “a wake-up call for the FIA to clean house,” while another questioned whether Ben Sulayem’s leadership could survive the mounting pressure. The lack of a clear challenger for the presidency complicates matters, but the sport’s stakeholders are united in their desire for change.
In response, Ben Sulayem has remained defiant. Speaking at the Qatar Grand Prix in December 2024, he dismissed criticism as “none of their business” and emphasized the FIA’s investments in grassroots motorsport, claiming over €10 million was spent in 2024. He also denied personally ordering recent staff dismissals, insisting that decisions were made by the FIA’s single-seater divisions. However, his refusal to engage with drivers’ concerns has only widened the rift. The FIA’s ethics committee, which cleared Ben Sulayem of wrongdoing in 2024 following earlier allegations, is now under pressure to investigate the new evidence thoroughly.
As the 2025 season unfolds, the spotlight is firmly on Ben Sulayem and the FIA. Drivers and teams are not merely seeking accountability; they are demanding a fundamental shift in how the sport is governed. The call for transparency, consistency, and respect underscores a broader desire to protect Formula 1’s integrity at a time when its global popularity is soaring. With negotiations over future engine regulations and commercial agreements on the horizon, stability is paramount. Whether Ben Sulayem can weather this storm or if the FIA will bow to pressure remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the F1 community is no longer willing to accept the status quo.
