Complaint about approval process for Las Vegas circuit made by whistleblower
According to the BBC, a whistleblower has made an allegation about the approval process for the Las Vegas circuit. The allegation was mentioned in a report seen by the BBC and submitted to an ethics committee by the FIA’s compliance officer. In response, a spokesperson for the FIA stated that the circuit approval followed FIA protocol in terms of inspection and certification, emphasizing the importance of sporting and safety aspects. The spokesperson also mentioned that there was a delay in the track inspection due to ongoing construction works by local organizers.
The November night race, which took place in Las Vegas, was a significant event for Formula 1 as it aimed to promote the sport in the important US market, where it has been experiencing rapid growth. According to the whistleblower, a manager allegedly acted on behalf of the FIA president and raised concerns to prevent the FIA from certifying the circuit before the race weekend. The whistleblower claimed that issues with the circuit were intentionally exaggerated, regardless of their actual existence, with the intention of withholding the license.
This allegation comes shortly after the BBC reported that Ben Sulayem, who was elected FIA president at the end of 2021, is being investigated for possible interference in the outcome of last year’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The FIA spokesperson confirmed that the matter is being discussed internally. Ben Sulayem’s presidency has been marked by conflicts with Formula 1, portrayed as a power struggle between the two entities, with financial considerations playing a significant role.
Formula One Management holds the commercial rights to the championship for a century, starting in 2001, while the FIA is responsible for enforcing the rules, ensuring safety, and overseeing the technical team. A year ago, Formula 1’s chief lawyer sent a letter to the FIA accusing Ben Sulayem of interfering with the commercial rights in an unacceptable manner. This happened after Ben Sulayem questioned the sport’s assessment. The disagreement between the two parties also extends to the possibility of an 11th team, with Ben Sulayem supporting the entry of an Andretti-Cadillac team based in the USA, while Formula 1 has ruled out this possibility until at least 2028.
Another point of controversy arose when a compliance investigation into Toto Wolff, head of the Mercedes team, and his wife Susie was initiated. However, the investigation was quickly halted due to widespread outrage.
