The 2025 Formula 1 season, a celebration of intense battles on the track, is disastrously close on a busy outdoor circuit. On the subject of rotation: Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), will not let authoritarian management and controversial decisions unleash a revolution without a precedent from the drivers. Max Verstappen at Lewis Hamilton, and passing by the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), the stars of the F1 mechanics competition, have caused a “chaos” that threatens the integrity of the sport. Is it a good idea to go to the FIA ​​​​? Why has Ben Sulayem found the blame for a telling color? Plongeons in this crisis are Formula 1.
When Mohammed Ben Sulayem, a former Emirati Rally driver, arrived at the FIA ​​Championship in December 2021, he promoted an ambition for reform: more transparency, modern governance and a sports car more than ever. However, three years later, his assessment is far from unanimous. The drivers, security and internal members of the FIA ​​​​accuse Ben Sulayem of an authoritarian style, inconsistent decisions and a lack of commitment. “It’s a disaster”, a statement from Ayao Komatsu, Haas’ patron, reflects a great feeling in the paddock.
One of the points of friction is Ben Sulayem’s crusade against the pilots’ jury members. In 2024, sanctions were imposed on Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc for inappropriate proposals, which led to the use of “fuck” during the press conference. Verstappen, who condemned the general international relations in Singapore, a public criticism of the FIA, qualified measures of “ridiculous”. The GPDA, directed by George Russell and Sebastian Vettel, issued a communiqué in November 2024 urging Ben Sulayem to seduce pilots to adults and to revise their own language. “There are demands for the president of the FIA ​​​​to consult the addresses of our members”, a critical association that regulates the rules for infantilisantes.
The discontent isn’t limited to the drivers. Internally, the FIA ​​is experiencing an unprecedented crisis. In 2024, several key figures left the organization, often under troubling circumstances. Race director Niels Wittich was fired mid-season, just before the Las Vegas Grand Prix, a decision that shocked the paddock. Tim Mayer, a long-time member of the stewards, was also ousted. More recently, in April 2025, Robert Reid, vice-president for sport, slammed the door with an incendiary open letter, accusing Ben Sulayem of “eroding the principles of governance” and managing by fear. Reid revealed that his access to work emails was cut after he refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement imposed by the president.
These departures come on top of suspicions of interference in sporting results. In 2023, Ben Sulayem allegedly personally intervened to overturn a penalty imposed on Fernando Alonso during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, allowing the Spaniard to retain his podium finish. Another case, revealed by the BBC, suggests he attempted to sabotage the homologation of the Las Vegas circuit that same year by instructing his teams to “find loopholes” to block the race. These accusations, made by whistleblowers, led the FIA’s ethics committee to open investigations, but no concrete results have yet been published.
Faced with this climate of mistrust, the drivers decided to no longer remain silent. During the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix, Verstappen held a 30-minute meeting with Ben Sulayem to ease tensions, but without lasting results. The GPDA intensified its criticism, demanding accountability for the use of driver fines, estimated at several million euros per year. “Where is this money going?” Russell asked, pointing to a lack of transparency. Ben Sulayem responded dismissively: “It’s none of their business. Let them focus on racing.” This retort added fuel to the fire, reinforcing the feeling of a president disconnected from his drivers.
On social media, fans are getting involved. X-rated posts call for Ben Sulayem’s resignation, denouncing his “toxicity” and “authoritarianism.” One user wrote: “Corruption and the dismissal of those who challenge him make the FIA ​​and F1 despicable to fans, drivers, and teams.” These sentiments reflect a deep crisis of confidence, amplified by decisions such as the increased crackdown on swearing in 2025, with six-figure fines and threats of suspension.
The pilot revolution and the cascade of missions poses a crucial question: can the FIA ​​continue in the direction of Ben Sulaym? After the presidential election began, an anti-Ben Sulaym front was formed. David Richards, president of Motorsport UK, is considering his presenter to give his apples a managerial and transparent board. When the temperature rises, F1 is unstable. While Liberty Media, the commercial owner, prospers in the global expansion of the sport, the FIA ​​is a suivre, encountering scandals and power-hungry people.
For the pilots, the pleasure is clear: the restorer respects each other and guarantees that F1 remains a sport of passion, without a punishing bureaucracy. “More sporting goals, but more things”, a statement from Hamilton, the summation of the spirit of the paddock. Although the 2025 season has been chosen on the square, one thing is certain: the battle between the pilots and Ben Sulayem is the end of the loins. Formula 1, a sport of speed and movement, is a car. Has the chaos at the FIA ​​​​come to an end, or is there a complete revolution in governance? The next few months will be decisive.
