The 2025 Formula 1 season, already marked by intense on-track battles, is now rocked by a storm off the track. At the center of this turmoil: Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), whose authoritarian management and controversial decisions have sparked an unprecedented revolt among drivers. From Max Verstappen to Lewis Hamilton, including the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), F1 stars are speaking out, denouncing a “chaos” that threatens the integrity of the sport. What’s going on at the FIA? Why has Ben Sulayem become the target of such anger? Let’s dive into this crisis rocking Formula 1.
Since taking over as FIA president in December 2021, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, a former Emirati rally driver, has promised ambitious reforms: greater transparency, modern governance, and safer motorsport. However, three years later, his record is far from unanimous. Drivers, teams, and even internal members of the FIA criticize Ben Sulayem for an authoritarian management style, inconsistent decisions, and a failure to listen. “It’s a disaster,” said Haas boss Ayao Komatsu, summing up a sentiment widely shared in the paddock.
One major sticking point is Ben Sulayem’s crusade against driver swearing. In 2024, severe sanctions were imposed on Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc for comments deemed inappropriate, such as using the word “fuck” in a press conference. Verstappen, sentenced to community service in Singapore, publicly criticized the FIA, calling the measures “ridiculous.” The GPDA, led by George Russell and Sebastian Vettel, issued a scathing statement in November 2024, urging Ben Sulayem to treat drivers like “adults” and review his own language. “We ask the FIA President to reflect on his tone when addressing our members,” the association wrote, denouncing rules perceived as patronizing.
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 driver revolt and the cascading resignations raise a crucial question: can the FIA continue under Bin Sulayem? With presidential elections scheduled for this fall, an anti-Bin Sulayem front is forming. David Richards, chairman of Motorsport UK, is reportedly considering a run, buoyed by calls for more transparent governance. Meanwhile, F1 itself is suffering from this instability. While Liberty Media, the owner of the commercial rights, thrives on the sport’s global expansion, the FIA struggles to keep up, caught between scandals and power struggles.
For the drivers, the challenge is clear: restoring mutual respect and ensuring that F1 remains a sport of passion, not a punitive bureaucracy. “We love this sport, but we want to be heard,” said Hamilton, summing up the mood in the paddock. With the 2025 season in full swing, one thing is certain: the battle between the drivers and Ben Sulayem is far from over. Formula 1, a sport of speed and emotion, is at a crossroads. Will the chaos at the FIA end, or will it lead to a complete revolution in its governance? The coming months will be decisive.
