George Russell: “Mohammed Ben Sulayem must explain to F1 drivers what the FIA’s objectives are”
The Mercedes driver and president of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) still wants Mohammed Ben Sulayem to be clearer with the drivers, despite the FIA president's assertion that the way he runs motorsport "doesn't concern them".
George Russell urged the FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, to express his goal as the leader of the global motorsport body amid the ongoing tensions between the former Emirati rally driver and the Formula 1 drivers.
The 2024 F1 season ended with the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) still waiting for an official response to its request, expressed in a public letter, for its members to be treated like adults. This letter particularly criticized Mohammed Ben Sulayem and his intention to crack down on drivers’ swearing.
This approach is part of a broader effort by the FIA to prevent drivers from inadvertently inciting abuse towards officials through statements picked up by often partisan fan communities. It follows initiatives such as the attempt to reduce the risk of burns for drivers wearing jewelry during accidents, a controversy that emerged early in Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s tenure, in 2022.
The GPDA is awaiting responses
After the publication of the pilots’ letter on the GPDA’s Instagram account in early November, Mohammed Ben Sulayem responded to the media, stating that the management of the FIA was none of their concern.
When asked about this situation during the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi, George Russell, president of the GPDA, said: « I don’t really know what’s going on in his mind, but as we mentioned in our last discussion, I had said: ‘What will be the next step? What will be the next decision?’ I didn’t expect a serious topic to resurface only two weeks later. »
This remark refers to the FIA’s decision to directly entrust the compliance issues to Mohammed Ben Sulayem and the president of his senate, a measure voted on at the FIA’s general assembly this month.
« I don’t really understand what all this change in governance regarding compliance means, said the British driver in an interview. « I don’t even know exactly what it involves, but it seems to be quite a significant matter. »
« And I was quite surprised that barely two weeks later, there’s something else. Will there be another new development in two weeks? Where are we going? What is the final goal? I think it would be great if we all understood what the FIA’s aims and objectives are. It would be beneficial if the president could clearly express his vision for the FIA to us, so that we might consider things from his perspective. And maybe from there, we would have a better understanding as well, » he concluded.
