Ben Hunt: GPDA letter over swearing controversy should be a warning to Ben Sulayem

Mohammed Ben Sulayem found himself the subject of a damning letter from the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association last week at a crucial time as he is rapidly approaching another election year.

During his tenure as FIA president, Ben Sulayem has trodden the political minefield while wearing magnetic boots.

From his preposterous attention to banning jewellery and insisting upon fireproof pants to his legal warning from Liberty Media following his comments on the valuation of F1, he has been lampooned for his running of F1’s governing body.

His recent focus on swearing drew the ire of the GPDA, which pointedly said in its statement: “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.

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

While it was the content of the GPDA letter that drew the attention, it should be the fact that drivers are united in their condemnation of his actions which is the most serious aspect for Ben Sulayem.

Drivers are rarely aligned on such matters, other than when it relates to safety. The fact they have all come out in criticism of the FIA president speaks volumes about how they view him as he looks to enhance his reputation.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President, FIA, congratulates George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, 3rd position, on the podium

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Before Ben Sulayem was elected in 2021, he was interviewed by Autosport where he laid out his plans if he were elected.

"I want to grow the FIA," he said. "I think there is potential. I feel there is potential to grow the competition."

He also said: "In motorsport, we have to grow the numbers and I believe whether it is in Latin America or if it is in India, or if it is in China, or any other place in Africa, there is a lot of potential.

"How to grow it is first of all to make it affordable. Today the sport is expensive. Even go-karting is very expensive. You can see people would spend $300,000 dollars for a full season for a young driver. Competition costs that much."

It is very difficult to see how, if at all, he has made positive strides in fulfilling his manifesto promises.

It could be argued that under his stewardship, the FIA’s power has even regressed while that of Formula One Management [FOM], and definitely the teams, has increased substantially.

That has not been helped by his own mistakes, which have served to test relationships with FOM.

That said, over the past few months at least, his relationship with F1 boss Stefano Domenicali is probably the best it has been since he has been elected. The gaffes have been less expansive and there is a feeling that perhaps deep down he knows he cannot afford to make enemies with FOM if he wants to be re-elected.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President, FIA

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Ben Sulayem recently told Autosport that he would welcome competition as he starts his election campaign, which would certainly be a good thing.

He said: "If there's anyone who wants to have a [presidential] race with me, [I would be] more than happy.

"We talked about democracy. It's democracy all the time, not part of the time. So I'm more than happy [to take it up against somebody else]."

It feels as though this recent criticism and the aforementioned blunders should have opened up an exciting race for the FIA presidency, offering huge potential for change and restructuring.

Ordinarily, he would need the support of FOM, the teams and the drivers to win - only that’s the point; as we sit 12 months out from a vote between the FIA members, there is currently no other candidate who has expressed an interest in running for office.

That means, despite being condemned by the GPDA, should the FIA elections be uncontested, Ben Sulayem would be re-elected for a second term, running to 2029.