Ben Sulayem responds to F1 drivers: How I run FIA “none of their business”

A defiant FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has dismissed talk of turmoil within the governing body, and told Formula 1 drivers it is “none of their business” how he runs things.

Ben Sulayem has found himself under the spotlight recently in the wake of a host of high-level departures from the FIA – which has included F1 race director Niels Wittich.

Furthermore, he was also sent an open letter from the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), which demanded he start treating them like adults and asked for transparency about where the money from fines go.

Speaking for the first time since the latest developments, Ben Sulayem told Motorsport.com ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix that he was unmoved by any recent criticisms or suggestions the FIA was facing chaos.

Asked specifically about the GPDA’s calls, Ben Sulayem said: “None of their business. Sorry.

“With all respect, I am a driver. I respect the drivers. Let them go and concentrate on what they do best, which is race.

“But okay, you want to know how much we paid in grassroots? I’ll give you: 10.3 million [euro] we invested in grassroots last year. I think that’s a lot of money. In ’24, up to now, over 10 million. Back in grassroots. In karting.”

The latter reference is about where the FIA spends some of the funding it gets from fines. There was more than 10.3 million euro spent on grassroots development in 85 countries, with funding for 70 motorsport safety projects in progress at a cost of 2.7 million euro.

Further examples of spending in unseen areas includes a further 1.9 million euro having been spent on operational safety and medical costs at FIA World Championship events, as well as 13 projects related to technical regulations.

Focusing on FIA first

Ben Sulayem refused to elaborate on any of the background surrounding the recent dismissals of senior figures within the FIA – as he claimed his priority was to serve his member clubs and not explain himself to the outside world.

“This is our business,” he said when asked about recent events. “We’ll do whatever is good for the FIA. So it’s really none of people’s business to interfere in ours. It’s the results that we produce.”

But pushed on drivers in particular wanting answers over why Wittich was dropped with three races remaining, Ben Sulayem said: “Do we have to tell them? When something in the teams changes, do they tell us? No, they don’t. Nobody has to. We have the rules, we follow our rules. We don’t follow someone else’s rule. Simple as this.”

Ben Sulayem said that while there had been major headlines in recent weeks about the way the FIA was running things, all he cared about was making the governing body better.

“I mean, with the media, with all respect, why do I have to answer everything?” he said. “I have a responsibility towards my members and towards the sport.

“I’m not a person who will go and wake up in the morning, go and look at the media. The media are good, but they don’t have votes in the FIA.

“I have been elected to fix the FIA, and I am fixing it. I am very happy with our new team. Very happy.”

Ben Sulayem believed that the losses of staff had got unnecessary traction considering the FIA had been on a recruitment drive over the past two years and employed far more people than had left.

“You know what? I am very optimistic about the FIA,” he said. “I am so happy with our position now. I can only see good things. 

“And by the way, do you know 64 employees joined us in 2023, for your information? And 92 in 2024.”

Asked if he cared at all about the external criticisms, Ben Sulayem said: “No, big time. No. I will tell you something, what’s happening. I think I live free of charge in their brains, huh… It’s a good apartment there, they give me.”

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem

Photo by: Dom Romney / Motorsport Images

Crisis talk

Ben Sulayem said from his perspective any suggestion of chaos within the FIA was wide of the mark – as he doubled down on stating that he would do whatever it takes to protect the governing body.

Asked about the crisis claims being reported, Ben Sulayem said: “It’s the paddock and the circulation in the UK.

“I’ll be very straight with you, honest as always: why don’t I give you the names of the [FIA] members, a list randomly? You call them and tell them there is chaos in FIA. Tell them…

“I actually have more important things to do than waking up and looking at whatever X, Y, Z is writing about me. Oh, look what they write about you. So what? Am I still alive here? Yes. Am I doing the priority for the FIA? Yes. Did I break any rules? No. Come on.

“The media accused me of everything, this fabrication of me, and sexism. But where is it? Did anyone prove it right? They bring something from 23 years ago, and they said that I stole money, and I interfered in the result of the stewards. Where is all of that? Where?

“They talk about chaos, huh? You know, whatever it takes to bring the FIA in a better position, I will do it. And let them talk about whatever they want.”