Ben Sulayem confirms 2nd term bid and slams 'raw F1 deal': 'Teams and drivers make more money than us'

15:01, 26 May

Updated: 15:02, 26 May

byNorberto Mujica

Mohammed Ben Sulayem feels strengthened in his position as FIA president and confirms he will run for a second term, responding to Carlos Sainz Sr.'s consideration to run against him, and throws a sensitive question: Is it fair F1 teams and drivers make more money than the motorsport governing body?

Following a highly criticised Monaco Grand Prix due to the rules the FIA decided to implement for the race in Monte-Carlo regarding the number of pitstops, speaking to Reuters, the motorsport federation's president confirmed his bid to run for a second term as President.

"I feel having three years in a complex federation like the FIA is not enough," he said. "Do I need more time? Yes. Has it been easy? Never. Has it been enjoyable? Sometimes."

"So, I am going [to run for a second term]. I consulted with most of the members. I speak to them."

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Max Verstappen after the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.

Ben Sulayem slams the 'raw deal' FIA is getting from F1

In December 2021 Ben Sulayem took over from former President Jean Todt facing the highly controversial 2021 world championship finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix between Leiws Hamilton and Max Verstappen.

The Emirati's administration has been highly criticised from what some FIA members believe to be lacking in transparency and openness, failing to uphold some of the key promises he made during his campaign.

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Now the current FIA President points to the financial status quo between the members of the Formula One world championship and the motorsport federation, which he labes as a 'raw deal'.

"Raw deals have been given to the FIA. It doesn't make sense to me that one (Formula One) driver and one team principal make more money than all of the FIA, and the FIA owns the championship. Is that fair?", he asked.

The FIA recently reported a profit of 4.7 million euros for 2024, a significant improvement from a 24 million euro loss in 2021. There has also been progress in negotiations for a new “Concorde Agreement” between all Formula 1 stakeholders.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem together with Lando Norris during the Bahrain race weekend.

FIA President 'has cleaned house' as there are no more 'knives in my back'

In the face of the criticism he's faced from current FIA members and some who have since taken their leave from the motorsport federation, Ben Sulayem boldy claims to have "cleaned up the FIA house. Honest people are there. My back is not anymore with knives in it", he stated.

During his time at president there have been accusations of tampering with race results, penalties issued by race officials, and even sexism. But Ben Sulayem, unfazed by the criticism, remains focused on one goal.

"I am more than happy. Maybe I am doing something that irritates them [his critics, ed.]."

"All of this negativity; 'Oh, he's unpredictable, he's very controversial'. I am the last one who cares what they (the critics and media) do, what they say. To me it is always about the (FIA) members."

Ben Sulayem responds to Sainz sr.'s idea to run against him for the FIA presidency

Rally world champion, and father to namesake Williams driver, Carlos Sainz sr., recently unveiled he was considering running against the Emirati for the FIA presidency.

When asked about Sainz sr.'s potential candidacy for the position he now holds and wishes to retain in the upcoming elections for a second term, Ben Sulayem said: "Let him stand. That is democracy."