Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the president of the FIA, is currently under investigation for his alleged involvement in trying to overturn a penalty imposed on Fernando Alonso during the previous Formula 1 season. This latest revelation adds to the ongoing controversy surrounding the sport as shocking news continues to emerge. The BBC reports that Ben Sulayem is accused of interfering in the 2023 race and attempting to reverse a penalty given to the Aston Martin driver. While no official announcement has been made, BBC officials claim that a report was submitted by an FIA compliance officer to the ethics committee, detailing the alleged actions of Ben Sulayem.
Initially, Alonso received a five-second penalty for starting outside the designated grid box. However, an additional ten-second penalty was later imposed on him after Aston Martin was found guilty of breaking the rules while working on the car. However, Ben Sulayem allegedly urged the FIA vice president to overturn the penalty, arguing that it was unfair. Compliance officer Paolo Basarri revealed how the 62-year-old president intervened and manipulated the race results.
If Ben Sulayem is found guilty and the ten-second penalty is reinstated, Alonso would drop to fifth place and lose his spot on the podium. The penalty was initially applied due to the team lifting the car with jacks, despite the previous penalty for not working on the car. However, Ben Sulayem’s alleged intervention exploited a loophole in the sporting regulations, leading to the cancellation of the penalty for the driver. The investigation into these allegations is expected to last four to six weeks, but the races will continue regardless of the actions surrounding the FIA president.
As the 2024 Formula 1 season unfolds, shocking revelations continue to emerge. Ben Sulayem’s investigation is expected to last a few more weeks, and the automotive community eagerly awaits new updates. Currently, there is limited information available on the status quo as the ethics committee conducts its investigation.
