FIA President Ben Sulayem has openly addressed past tensions with Formula One Management (FOM), signaling a new era of cooperation between the sport’s regulatory body and its commercial arm. In an interview with Motorsport-Total, the FIA boss assured that both parties have put their differences aside, citing a newfound understanding between him and FOM CEO Stefano Domenicali, as well as Liberty Media’s Greg Maffei.
The rift, which previously saw the two entities clash over everything from the valuation of F1 to the controversial Andretti bid for a new team slot, appears to have settled. Sulayem even questioned Susie Wolff’s role within FOM, a move that further strained the relationship. However, he now claims it’s all “water under the bridge.”
“The FOM now understands the role of the FIA. They understand the FIA’s task. I don’t know what the problem was before,” said Ben Sulayem, who insists he’s been committed to improving the sport since taking over as FIA President. “For two and a half years, I have been asking where the problems lie. I also honestly asked what I did wrong in the first few years.”
Despite the drama, Sulayem maintained his integrity, stating, “I don’t take a cent from the FIA for myself, so what’s the problem if I want better equipment and resources to improve the sport?”
The relationship between the FIA and FOM is rooted in a complex history. The FIA still owns and governs Formula 1, but the commercial rights were leased to FOM under a deal orchestrated by Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley in the early nineties. Since then, the rights have changed hands, eventually landing with Liberty Media.
Sulayem dismissed any speculation of a power grab, making it clear he has no intention of claiming commercial rights: “All this talk about separation, my God, can’t we be more grown up? That’s not going to happen. FOM has understood that this ship does not need any more rough waves.”
The FIA chief also emphasized that the federation’s role is crucial for fair racing, ensuring regulations keep teams competitive and the sport engaging for fans. “What do we need? We need to act on an equal footing. You can see how important the car is in Formula 1. As soon as the Red Bull is no longer the dominant car, Max Verstappen no longer wins.”
Ben Sulayem noted that recent efforts have paid off, leading to better collaboration: “We work well with the FOM; I work well with Greg Maffei and Stefano Domenicali. We are in regular contact.”
The FIA president highlighted that strategy meetings between the two parties are now more frequent, a positive step toward a unified future. “It has gotten much better. Before, there were no joint strategy meetings, but now there are. I am pleased that this improves the relationship and the sport. It is good for everyone.”
For now, Ben Sulayem appears committed to building bridges, with the hope that this newfound harmony will continue to benefit the entire Formula 1 ecosystem.
