Simply over 1,000 days in the past, FIA president Jean Todt stepped down from his place on the finish of his third time period – the final allowed underneath the federation’s statutes – with an election held to find out his successor.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, a 14-times Center East Rally champion, efficiently gained the election over Todt’s former deputy Graham Stoker with nearly two-thirds of votes from the physique’s worldwide membership.
Over the just about three years of his presidency, Ben Sulayem has develop into a reputation and face that System 1 followers particularly have develop into very conversant in. A much more seen presence at grands prix than his predecessor, Ben Sulayem has been an everyday attendee in parc ferme after qualifying classes and races in addition to on the post-race podium, presenting FIA winner’s medals to the driving force first throughout the end line.
Off the observe, Ben Sulayem has been an lively participant within the political world of System 1. He spearheaded the opening of functions to search out potential new groups to affix the world championship – a lot to the bemusement of System One Administration and the ten current groups, who had zero need amongst them to open up the game to newcomers.
The FIA president has additionally been topic to criticism from sections of the media, in addition to followers and even some F1 drivers, for controversial actions and feedback. Outdated feedback on his personal private web site from over a decade in the past, which many take into account sexist, re-emerged final yr in an article by The Occasions. Allegations about Ben Sulayem interfering within the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix raised by whistleblowers earlier this yr have been dismissed by the FIA’s ethics committee who discovered no proof to substantiate the claims.
Most lately, present world champion Max Verstappen successfully boycotted the FIA’s official press conferences through the Singapore Grand Prix in response to a punishment to finish ‘some work of public curiosity’ that he obtained for swearing in an earlier press convention. The bizarre punishment got here simply days after Ben Sulayem had criticised F1 drivers in an interview for usually swearing on staff radio.
Ben Sulayem has beforehand complained about his press protection, saying earlier this yr “the media attempt to bloodbath me and assassinate me.” He made comparable feedback once more this week saying: “If you happen to take a look at the British media and what they did to me… for God’s sake, they convicted me,” to Autosport.
“They didn’t accuse me [of anything], however they carry on [going]. And do I care? No. Why? As a result of what are they after? They’re after promoting and getting extra protection for them[selves].”
Ben Sulayem insists that he retains the bulk help of the FIA’s member golf equipment – a few of whom printed statements in help of him following the allegations of interference made in opposition to him earlier this yr. Underneath the FIA’s statutes, Ben Sulayem and his administration will face re-election on the finish of 2025, as long as an opponent runs in opposition to him, which means Ben Sulayem’s management may very well be examined in simply over one yr’s time.
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You say
Throughout Todt’s presidency of the governing physique, RaceFans routinely polled you, the readers, about the way you gauged the efficiency of the previous Ferrari staff principal in his new function. After 1,000 days of Ben Sulayem’s presidency, now appears an acceptable time to ask how you’re feeling about Ben Sulayem’s efficiency as FIA president to this point.
As an organisation, the FIA oversees excess of simply System 1 and single-seater motorsport. Its mobility pillar isn’t any much less necessary to the organisation, however is usually solely separate from System 1. Beforehand, with Jean Todt, RaceFans solely requested to your evaluation of his efficiency with regard to System 1. Due to this fact, please base your judgement of Ben Sulayem’s efficiency on how his organisation has dealt with F1 issues throughout his time on the helm.
As an F1 fan, do you approve or disapprove of Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s efficiency as FIA President?
Disapprove (82%)
Approve (10%)
Complete Voters: 60
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