With the global reach of Formula 1 at an all-time high, it’s no secret that all the eyes are on the sport. That being said, you’d expect the management at the helm of the sport to be most attentive to this fact. As a sport, F1 seems to find itself in a weirdly sticky position right now. Essentially, F1 is governed by two independent bodies. That being, the Formula One Management, led by Liberty Media (the commercial rights holder) and the FIA (the governing body of the sport). But problematic reigns on both ends of the spectrum threaten the very sanctity of the pinnacle of motor racing.

On February 3rd this year, Red Bull unveiled their 2023 challenger, the RB19. However, that wasn’t the only ground-breaking revelation to take place at that event. During the launch, the team also announced the F1 comeback of Ford, one of the most storied engine manufacturers, as a technical partner of the Milton-Keynes-based outfit from 2026 onwards. But a damper on the event was put when F1’s CEO Stefano Domenicali snubbed a call to the stage. He was present at the venue, however; he refused to arrive at the rostrum. It has been speculated that he thought it to be ill-advised, as it would hint at a bias toward the team.

It was a cause for great unease and apparent embarrassment for everyone involved. But according to an anonymous team boss, F1’s problems lie deeper than Domenicali’s mysterious ways. An anonymous team principal of one of the teams told BILD, “You never know when something is going to happen now, and how big it will be. But fundamentally, nothing surprises us anymore.”

“He’s like Donald Trump or Elon Musk – in an important, but uncontrollable position,” said the team boss while referring to FIA’s President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. “Where the president used to cause only irritation, now he is causing damage.” [translated via Google Translate]

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Sulayem has been on the wrong side of the drivers and fans in the past. But what prompted a team boss to call out the President?

The FIA causes a stir with controversial comments about F1 financials

Formula 1 is undoubtedly the crown jewel for the FIA. Hence, you would be well within your rights to assume that the governing body of the sport would pride itself on it and ensure that nothing violates its sanctity and image, financial or otherwise. That being said, this concept may be lost on Sulayem.

After the sport was reportedly valued at $20 billion, Sulayem was quoted by Motorsport.com as saying, “As the custodians of motorsport, the FIA, as a non-profit organisation, is cautious about alleged inflated price tags of $20bn being put on F1. Any potential buyer is advised to apply common sense, consider the greater good of the sport and come with a clear, sustainable plan – not just a lot of money”

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This irked the stakeholders involved, as F1 even threatened legal action against Sulayem.

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Is Mohammed Ben Sulayem a detriment to the sport? Should he stay or should he be ousted as the President of the FIA?