Just over 1,000 days ago, FIA president Jean Todt stepped down from his position at the end of his third term – the last allowed under the federation’s statutes – with an election held to determine his successor.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, a 14-times Middle East Rally champion, successfully won the election over Todt’s former deputy Graham Stoker with almost two-thirds of votes from the body’s international membership.
Over the almost three years of his presidency, Ben Sulayem has become a name and face that Formula 1 fans especially have become very familiar with. A far more visible presence at grands prix than his predecessor, Ben Sulayem has been a regular attendee in parc ferme after qualifying sessions and races as well as on the post-race podium, presenting FIA winner’s medals to the driver first across the finish line.
Off the track, Ben Sulayem has been an active participant in the political world of Formula 1. He spearheaded the opening of applications to find potential new teams to join the world championship – much to the bemusement of Formula One Management and the ten existing teams, who had zero desire among them to open up the sport to newcomers.
The FIA president has also been subject to criticism from sections of the media, as well as fans and even some F1 drivers, for controversial actions and comments. Old comments on his own personal website from over a decade ago, which many consider sexist, re-emerged last year in an article by The Times. Allegations about Ben Sulayem interfering in the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix raised by whistleblowers earlier this year were dismissed by the FIA’s ethics committee who found no evidence to substantiate the claims.
Most recently, current world champion Max Verstappen effectively boycotted the FIA’s official press conferences during the Singapore Grand Prix in response to a punishment to complete ‘some work of public interest’ that he received for swearing in an earlier press conference. The unusual punishment came just days after Ben Sulayem had criticised F1 drivers in an interview for regularly swearing on team radio.
Ben Sulayem has previously complained about his press coverage, saying earlier this year “the media try to massacre me and assassinate me.” He made similar comments again this week saying: “If you look at the British media and what they did to me… for God’s sake, they convicted me,” to Autosport.
“They didn’t accuse me [of anything], but they keep on [going]. And do I care? No. Why? Because what are they after? They are after selling and getting more coverage for them[selves].”
Ben Sulayem insists that he retains the majority support of the FIA’s member clubs – some of whom published statements in support of him following the allegations of interference made against him earlier this year. Under the FIA’s statutes, Ben Sulayem and his administration will face re-election at the end of 2025, so long as an opponent runs against him, meaning Ben Sulayem’s leadership could be tested in just over one year’s time.
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You say
During Todt’s presidency of the governing body, RaceFans routinely polled you, the readers, about how you gauged the performance of the former Ferrari team principal in his new role. After 1,000 days of Ben Sulayem’s presidency, now seems an appropriate time to ask how you feel about Ben Sulayem’s performance as FIA president thus far.
As an organisation, the FIA oversees far more than just Formula 1 and single-seater motorsport. Its mobility pillar is no less important to the organisation, but is mostly entirely separate from Formula 1. Previously, with Jean Todt, RaceFans only asked for your assessment of his performance in regards to Formula 1. Therefore, please base your judgement of Ben Sulayem’s performance on how his organisation has handled F1 matters during his time at the helm.
As an F1 fan, do you approve or disapprove of Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s performance as FIA President?
- No opinion (8%)
- Disapprove (82%)
- Approve (10%)
Total Voters: 60
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