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A huge FIA flag flies on the grid
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Opinion

One easy way the FIA could instantly improve F1

OPINION: During what is traditionally a very quiet time of year in the Formula 1 news cycle, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been generating headlines. He’s been commenting on massive topics in a championship that loves them, but also addressing necessary smaller changes too. Here we suggest a further refinement that would be a big boon to fans

Never-ending January. It’s always the same story. But it always passes.

At Formula 1 teams, the annual cycle is at one of its most intense phases – design and production departments working hurriedly to keep the assembly of eagerly-anticipated new machines on schedule. Away from the keen eyes of the media at official F1 events, this time of year is swan-like – serene on the surface, very busy beneath. A reassuring familiarity from the time of year.

But there’s something a bit different happening in 2023 versus 2022. In what is traditionally a quiet news period, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been making many headlines. This stands in stark contrast to the rather quiet start of his term last year, when he made a low-profile beginning during what was, thanks to the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saga, a low ebb for the governing body. Now Ben Sulayem is making waves and moves.

Previous article F1 chiefs angered by Ben Sulayem’s "unacceptable" remarks
Next article How Alpine plans to take the next step in F1 2023

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