FIA Under Fire: Rising Tensions Between F1 Drivers and President Ben Sulayem Over Penalty Crackdown

The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), led by its president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, is facing increasing scrutiny from both drivers and team principals in the Formula 1 world. Over the past few months, the governing body has been criticized for a series of decisions, including its handling of penalties, conflicts of interest, and its overall approach to the sport. Most notably, a controversy over the use of foul language by drivers, coupled with perceived heavy-handed penalties, has ignited tensions between the FIA and its key stakeholders.

A major flashpoint in this ongoing saga occurred at the Singapore Grand Prix, where reigning champion Max Verstappen found himself at the center of the FIA’s crackdown on swearing. After uttering the “F-word” in a post-race press conference, Verstappen received a community service penalty, a decision that has sparked outrage among fans and drivers alike. Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, did not hold back, labeling the penalty as “ridiculous” and accusing the FIA of diluting the essence of racing.

Max Verstappen himself weighed in on the matter, expressing frustration over the constraints imposed on drivers. “These kinds of things definitely decide my future as well. You can’t be yourself, or you have to deal with these kinds of silly things,” Verstappen stated. He suggested that if Formula 1 continues in this direction, it could drive him to retire earlier than anticipated. For a driver with three championships and over 60 career wins, this sentiment reflects growing dissatisfaction at the highest level of the sport.

Ben Sulayem, however, has maintained that the FIA’s actions are justified. Speaking candidly in response to the backlash, the FIA president noted that the governing body often does not receive credit for its efforts to ensure the safety and integrity of the sport. “The FIA will never get the credit for what we do, it’s impossible. We will only get rubbish, that I know,” Sulayem said in a recent interview. He emphasized the role the FIA has played in securing financial stability for Formula 1, but lamented that other entities, such as Liberty Media and FOM (Formula One Management), often receive the recognition.

Despite these frustrations, Sulayem has acknowledged the challenges posed by public broadcasts of in-race communications, where drivers are often heard swearing during moments of high adrenaline. Sulayem and Verstappen have both suggested that these broadcasts should be limited to avoid unnecessary penalties. “In other sports, you don’t run around with a mic attached to you,” Sulayem pointed out, underscoring the unique nature of F1 in this regard.

The conflict over language is only the tip of the iceberg. Drivers and team principals have voiced broader concerns about the direction the FIA is taking Formula 1. Lewis Hamilton, who has had a long-standing rivalry with Verstappen, also weighed in on the issue, reigniting his own feud with Ben Sulayem. Hamilton claimed that the governing body is inconsistent with its penalties and suggested that Verstappen may not have received the same treatment if he were in a different position. “If I was Verstappen, I would not serve the penalty,” Hamilton remarked, highlighting the perception of favoritism.

The discord has reached a point where the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) is reportedly holding discussions on how to address the increasing tensions with the FIA. With team principals also growing concerned about the governing body’s involvement in matters such as the controversial rejection of Saudi Arabia’s financial offer to F1 and the conflict of interest allegations surrounding Toto Wolff and Susie Wolff, it is clear that the relationship between Formula 1 and the FIA is at a critical juncture.

As these controversies unfold, the question remains: can Ben Sulayem navigate this storm and retain his position as FIA president? While Sulayem has been vocal about the FIA’s accomplishments under his leadership, the growing dissatisfaction from key figures in the sport suggests that his presidency may be in jeopardy. With drivers like Verstappen and Hamilton openly criticizing the governing body, and team principals questioning its decisions, the pressure is mounting on Sulayem to either change course or risk losing support from the sport’s most influential figures.

The next few months will be crucial for the FIA and its leadership. With the 2024 season entering its final stages and the championship race intensifying, it remains to be seen how the governing body will handle the mounting pressure from all sides. One thing is clear: the tension between the FIA, drivers, and teams is not going away anytime soon.

The recent backlash against the FIA has highlighted deeper issues within Formula 1’s governance. While the swearing controversy has grabbed headlines, the broader concerns about the FIA’s role in shaping the future of the sport loom large. As the drivers, teams, and fans await further developments, Formula 1 finds itself at a crossroads—will the FIA adapt to the changing landscape of the sport, or will its leadership continue to face mounting opposition? Only time will tell.