Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has launched a sharp criticism of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem (MBS), warning that his leadership and proposed rule changes could plunge Formula 1 into chaos. In a speech ahead of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on May 18, 2025, Horner described MBS’s management as “too extreme” and predicted “terrible” problems if the FIA ​​continues on its current course. His comments, echoed by growing discontent in the paddock, have led to calls for MBS to resign as the sport grapples with governance controversies and divisive regulations.

Horner’s criticism focuses on MBS’s push for sweeping rule changes, in particular the proposed reintroduction of V10 engines powered by sustainable fuels in 2026. While Horner initially supported the idea, praising its nostalgic appeal, he now warns of its impracticality. “The V10 concept sounds great but it’s a logistical nightmare,” he told Sky Sports in Bahrain. “It risks undermining Formula 1’s carbon-neutral targets and increasing costs at a time when teams are already busy.” He argues that the FIA’s focus on such radical changes ignores practical challenges such as engine development timelines and compatibility with existing chassis designs. Red Bull’s simulations, he noted, show that the engines could compromise race quality, creating “cars that can’t race properly”.

Beyond the engine rules, Horner has also criticised MBS’s wider governance style. Since taking office in December 2021, MBS has endured a turbulent period, marked by high-profile resignations and allegations of overreach. The departures of vice-president of sport Robert Reid in April 2025, who spoke of a “governance crisis”, and former CEO Natalie Robyn, who cited “serious structural challenges”, underlined the FIA’s instability. Horner echoed these concerns, stating: “The FIA ​​needs stability, not extreme decisions that alienate teams and drivers.” He pointed out that MBS’s harsh measures on driver behaviour – fining Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc for swearing – are an example of misplaced priorities. “It is absurd to punish drivers for their passion while ignoring inconsistent stewardship,” he said.

The frustration in the paddock is palpable. A 2024 Change.org petition signed by thousands of people accused MBS of undermining the integrity of Formula 1 through “alternative interpretations” of the rules, allowing teams to exploit loopholes. The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association criticised his approach to swearing fines, while Motorsport UK’s David Richards accused MBS of “silencing” officials. Horner alluded to these tensions, noting: “When top executives resign and drivers unite against you, it’s a sign that things are not right.” He also highlighted the stalled governance terms of the Concorde Agreement, saying it was “unusual” that only the commercial terms had been finalised, leaving teams in limbo.

MBS’s tenure has been dogged by controversy. In 2023, he was accused of interfering in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix by overturning a penalty for Fernando Alonso and attempting to block the certification of the Las Vegas circuit. Although he was cleared by the FIA’s ethics committee, these incidents fueled perceptions of favoritism. His 2024 rule changes, which increased penalties for “moral harm” to the FIA, have been criticized as authoritarian, with Horner warning that they “risk stifling free speech and stifling competition.” Posts on X reflected the outrage from fans, with one user writing: “MBS is turning Formula 1 into a dictatorship. Resign now!”

Despite the backlash, MBS has no clear challenger in his 2025 re-election campaign, a fact that Horner finds troubling. “The sport deserves better than unchecked power,” he said, urging the FIA ​​General Assembly to reconsider its support. He compared the turmoil within the FIA ​​to the growth of Formula 1 management under Stefano Domenicali, whose contract extension was widely praised. “Formula 1 is thriving, but the chaos within the FIA ​​threatens to drag the organisation down,” Horner warned, citing the need for consistent direction and transparent governance.

As Imola approaches, the focus should be on McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Verstappen battling it out for supremacy. Yet the shadow of MBS looms large. Horner’s blunt call for change resonates in a paddock tired of controversy. “We need a president who unites, not divides,” he concluded. Whether MBS will heed the growing number of voices calling for his resignation remains uncertain, but Horner’s warning is clear: without reform, Formula 1’s golden era could be jeopardized by failed governance. The future of the sport is at stake and Imola could mark a turning point in the battle for its soul.