The status update on the crisis between F1 and the FIA
In a lengthy interview, Stefano Domenicali, President of F1, opened up about the hot topics of the championship with Sky Sport. He notably discussed the relationship with the FIA. Motors Inside offers you an update on a not so recent crisis between the two entities.
If the recent actions of FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem have sparked controversy, in fact, the tension between F1 and FIA has been gradually building up for a long time.
The starting point.
It has been several months since this soap opera started. We have to go back to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2021 to find the starting point of a multitude of disagreements.
The race director, Michael Masi, was heavily criticized for his poor management of the safety car. The race should have ended under the safety car, but he decided to restart it for an unfair final lap that handed the championship title to Verstappen. After that, measures were implemented for 2022. The FIA replaced Michael Masi with two race directors, a decision-making support unit (VAR) was created, and the ban on direct radio communications between the race direction and the teams was also decided. However, all these measures didn’t really solve the problems, as the race direction’s decisions in 2022 were still questionable on multiple occasions.
Like the Grand Prix of Suzuka which was surely the most eventful. A crane on the track, a strange penalty for Charles Leclerc and a title for Max Verstappen surrounded by uncertainty… in short, a fiasco.
There was then the “Djeddah affair” where the race was held at the expense of safety. The drivers did not want to race and it can’t really be said that they were supported by F1 and the FIA, who are supposed to work to protect them.
Finally, the FIA angered everyone last December by announcing the prohibition of driver statements without prior agreement. This rule was perceived as a hindrance to freedom of speech.
A speech by Mohammed Ben Sulayem at the FIA award ceremony was absurd.
In this crisis between the two entities, it is particularly the behavior of the president of the FIA that is being pointed at. One remembers, for example, that awkward moment during last season’s awards gala when he sarcastically targeted Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, who had been penalized a few weeks prior for exceeding the budget.
As the championship trophy for constructors has just been awarded to Christian Horner, Mohammed Ben Sulayem intervenes alongside Red Bull’s team principal and Formula 1’s CEO, Stefano Domenicali: « I’m going to say something to Christian: this trophy has nothing to do with the budget cap, okay? So be careful, it’s from the FIA, so we won’t deduct it from your budget, okay? »
Very embarrassed by these remarks, Horner replied: “It’s very generous of you, thank you,” before continuing his speech of gratitude.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem did not stop there: “One thing you said about Japan: that it was controversial. No, the FIA was held responsible because of the points, but it’s not the FIA that makes the rules, it’s the teams, and the FIA enforces these rules,” he said before being interrupted by Domenicali, who even put his hand on his shoulder to cut him off. “So it’s very clear to me at the FIA level…”
The turning point in the crisis.
The final straw that broke the camel’s back obviously came after the Saudi sovereign fund’s offer of $20 billion to buy out F1. Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s statements had triggered F1’s anger, leading them to send a strongly worded letter to the president of the FIA.
The President of the FIA indeed tweeted that the offer of 20 billion to buy out F1 was likely inappropriate, emphasizing that the FIA is a non-profit organization. However, the FIA has granted the management rights of the commercial rights to FOM/F1 for 99 years and therefore cannot intervene in purely commercial and economic matters.
The FIA manages the regulations, Formula 1, and the finances. This is what Stefano Domenicali made sure to remind the FIA authorities, explaining that the Federation should not publicly interfere on these matters. This response caused even more controversy as it was also sent to the teams.
What atmosphere for 2023?
Mohammed Ben Sulayem recently announced his withdrawal and leaves his position to Nikolas Tombazis to manage the daily affairs of F1. While this apparently was a long-planned decision, the timing is still strange. Stefano Domenicali still hopes to be in contact with him to discuss the future of F1.
