Ben Sulayem fires another media retort with British GP comment

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has delivered an attack on the media along with a confusing statement about the Formula 1 British Grand Prix.

Speaking to the media at the Dakar Rally, Ben Sulayem has reopened his criticism of the press in a strange rant, with it uncertain what caused his latest outburst, as it raised more questions about his running of motorsport’s governing body.

Ben Sulayem has repeated claims that he feels he has been unfairly criticised by the media. He also made a cryptic reference to the British GP having Qatar Airways as its title sponsor.

He said: “Three years of critics against me. Do I care? Was I elected to listen to the media? No. I like the good media, the positive media and maybe I make a mistake, and you can come and criticise me in an objective way.”

When asked about being treated unfairly, he added: “Unfair. But the world is unfair. Saudi Arabia has reinvested a lot.

“You look at some of the British media and they go against Saudi Arabia or me. But one thing I would say, go on and see the British Grand Prix. Is it the British Grand Prix? No, it is the Qatar Airways British Grand Prix. Please, you remove the budget, you remove the money.”

Autosport has asked the FIA for clarity over the meaning of Ben Sulayem’s comments.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President, FIA

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

Ben Sulayem has been at loggerheads with the media - in particular the British press - since he was interviewed by Autosport last year at the Azerbaijan GP.

In a separate interview he reacted to Adrian Newey’s assessment that both Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen had been demonised by the press.

Ben Sulayem offered his opinion on the subject adding “if you look at the British media and what they did to me… For God's sake, they convicted me”.

During his tenure at the FIA, Ben Sulayem has been embroiled in controversy. His recent decision to make alterations to the organisations statutes to consolidate his power has been criticised by its members.

He has also been accused - and later cleared - of meddling in the outcome of the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP and trying to block the FIA’s ratification of the inaugural Las Vegas GP.

Last year, he took a hard stance on drivers’ swearing, earning a rebuke from the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association [GPDA].

A strongly-worded letter from the GPDA said: “We urge the FIA President to also consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them, whether in a public forum or otherwise.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President, FIA, talks with Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, in Parc Ferme

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

“Further, our members are adults, they do not need to be given instructions via the media about matters as trivial as wearing of jewellery and underpants.”

His latest attack on the media comes as he enters an election year where he currently faces no competition for the FIA presidency.

Ben Sulayem’s comments regarding the title sponsor of the British GP have also been put to Silverstone for a response.