Ben Sulayem hits back at critics: 'I know who is attacking me'

One of the most talked about people in Formula 1 in 2023 was not an active driver or team principal. No, it was FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem who found himself in the middle of a storm. According to critics, often a storm that he himself had (often) caused. After a year of bickering and hassle, the conclusion is easy to draw: things are not sitting well between the FIA boss and Formula 1.

The opening of F1 's registration and the fuss around Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff; these are two of the most talked-about issues that Formula 1 (read: Liberty Media and the teams) were not happy about. And twice it was Ben Sulayem who was responsible for all that. No one is surprised if the relationship between F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and Ben Sulayem has now cooled considerably.

However, the latter wants to know nothing of that, he states in conversation with Motorsport Magazin. On the contrary, the relationship with the Italian is fine, according to Ben Sulayem."I only ask for sincerity. I am not interested in the share price or ticket sales. We just need honesty. That is my mission."

Ben Sulayem slaps around

At the same time, Ben Sulayem indicates that some friction is good at times, but that with him, the interest of motorsport is always number one. That he is attacked because of his views and actions, for example through the media, the Emirati is also aware of that. "I know who attacks me. And they think I don't know. Do you really think I would be in this position if I had stupid people around me? Of course, my team is very smart. The paddock is a very small habitat, everybody knows everybody. You know, whoever leaked or made up something about me, I know. And what do I do? I smile at them. I know who is behind it and then I smile at them."

In the interview, Ben Sulayem himself cites talk by others of secession from Formula One. The chairman laughs: "People who say something like that have no idea what they are talking about. Do they really think big manufacturers will start their own championship, with no party regulating? Do you think they will invest in that? You already know who is going to win this."

According to him, manufacturers want certainty about the rules, and the FIA is the right place for them. "Then you can invest. That would be a show. But not here! Here there is a show, with a leadership, a show with rules. And here everything is monitored, so it's fair. The rest is up to them, the teams and their driver."