The scandal began with allegations on Monday suggesting that Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the current president of the FIA, tried to manipulate the outcome of a Formula 1 race. Ben Sulayem is now facing scrutiny due to a series of accusations that have come to light, raising concerns about his actions and decisions. The controversy started when accusations emerged on Monday, indicating that Ben Sulayem tried to influence the outcome of an F1 race. The situation escalated on Tuesday with the release of a report accusing him of instructing officials to prevent the certification of the Las Vegas street circuit for races.
An FIA whistleblower brought forward allegations about Ben Sulayem’s involvement in overturning Fernando Alonso’s 10-second penalty during last year’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. It is alleged that this action restored Alonso’s third place, leading to an investigation by the FIA ethics committee. However, the accusations did not stop there. The BBC published a report based on statements from the same whistleblower, suggesting that Ben Sulayem instructed officials to find reasons to reject the Las Vegas circuit. The whistleblower claimed there was a directive to artificially identify issues with the track, despite no genuine concerns, with the ultimate goal of withholding certification before the race weekend.
Despite these efforts, employees allegedly deemed the circuit safe, resulting in its approval for the race. However, the BBC report mentions that other employees present provided conflicting accounts, adding complexity to the narrative. The motivations behind the alleged attempt to block the certification of the Las Vegas circuit remain speculative. The race held significant importance for Formula 1 and its expansion in the United States, as Liberty Media had made substantial investments in the event.
This controversy arises at a time when relations between Formula 1 and the FIA are tense, with Ben Sulayem showing a strong interest in asserting his authority and seeking increased financial contributions from Formula 1 to the FIA, which currently stand at around $40 million annually. No official statement has been made by Formula 1 authorities regarding these accusations. The evolving situation underscores the need for a thorough investigation and reconciliation of the conflicting reports to uncover the truth behind these serious allegations. This sheds light on the complex dynamics within the governing bodies of the sport.
