Frédéric Vasseur criticized all the FIA critics for the “slice” penalty imposed on Lewis Hamilton in Miami, and Ben Sulayem responded with 6 words that left her speechless!
An incident that shook the world of Formula 1, with a controversy that pitted Ferrari director Frédéric Vasseur against FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The controversy followed the penalty imposed on Lewis Hamilton during the Miami Grand Prix, a decision that sparked outrage not only among the tifosi, but also among the other additions to the team. Vasseur’s decision was decisive, and his word was taken during the discussion of the FIA’s authority, and by a direct response from Ben Sulayem, who mocked his word that allowed him to leave everything without fiato.
It all began when Hamilton was penalized for alleged irregularity at the Miami Grand Prix, a decision that has caused much doubt and is difficult to understand. According to the FIA, the British driver must have made a maneuver that violated safety regulations, and the decision to impose a penalty on multiple drivers, taking into account other similar situations in the past, did not allow for such severe penalties.
Frédéric Vasseur, who still holds a high-profile position in Formula 1, did not criticize the FIA’s decision. The Ferrari team principal described Hamilton’s penalty as “strana” and “unjustified,” expressing disappointment at a decision that, in his opinion, did not appear to address one of the drivers’ more expert and gray responses. Vasseur added that the FIA needs to be more consistent in its court decisions, implying that the lack of transparency in penalties could undermine the trust of drivers and experts in the system.
Vasseur’s criticism immediately caught the attention of many, but the response of FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem was even more surprising. During a meeting with the stamp, Ben Sulayem responded to Vasseur’s accusations with one reason, telling him: “The FIA is always fair.” As for his simple word, the president has a commitment to take all necessary steps to discuss the severity of the penalty, maintaining that the decision was in accordance with the regulations and that there were no subsequent comments or spying.
Ben Sulayem’s words were widely interpreted as a vigorous defense of the FIA’s authority, but also as a way to avoid further controversy over a decision that had already sparked widespread discussion. Vasseur’s reaction and Ben Sulayem’s assertive tone highlighted the gap that exists between the teams and Formula 1’s governing body, a gap that has emerged repeatedly over the years and continues to generate friction in the paddock.
Hamilton’s penalty has also raised questions about the consistency of Formula 1’s rules. While the FIA tries to maintain a tight grip on safety and compliance, there is a sense that decisions are sometimes applied arbitrarily. Drivers and teams find themselves having to navigate a system that can seem unpredictable and sometimes unfair, and this is what Vasseur sought to highlight in his critique.
Ben Sulayem’s response, while brief, had the effect of immediately closing the discussion, at least officially. However, the repercussions of this controversy could continue to be felt, especially as many in the paddock felt that the FIA president’s six words did not adequately address the concerns raised by Vasseur and other members of the Formula 1 community.
While fans continue to debate Hamilton’s penalty, the situation has also highlighted a broader issue: the need for greater clarity and consistency in the FIA’s decisions. Formula 1, a sport that relies on precision and reliability, could benefit from a more transparent and easily understandable penalty system. This would be beneficial not only for the drivers, but also for the teams and the fans, who passionately follow every detail of the competition.
Ultimately, the controversy between Vasseur and Ben Sulayem has highlighted the management difficulties and tension that sometimes exists between the teams and the governing bodies of Formula 1. Ben Sulayem’s six words, while seeming to definitively close the discussion, could actually open up new reflections on the future of regulation and the relationship between the protagonists of Formula 1 and the FIA. Fans and experts will continue to monitor the situation closely, expecting the FIA to provide greater clarity and answers in the future to avoid similar controversies from happening again.
