Ex-F1 driver SLAMS FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s ‘condescending’ remarks
Mohammed Ben Sulayem's reign over FIA has been scrutinised by the drivers, but his ignorance over the issue was slammed by David Coulthard.
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Mohammed Ben Sulayem (via IMAGO)
Since becoming the president of the FIA in 2021, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has often been viewed as an untrustworthy character in the paddock. Following his clampdown on swearing, drivers came together and made their voices public on such matters. Despite this, the Emirati has remained insensitive to the matter, which led ex-F1 driver David Coulthard to bash Sulayem for the way he is heading the FIA.
Before the Las Vegas GP, drivers and GPDA(Grand Prix Drivers Association) members formed a social media handle to seemingly protest against FIA’s policies. The statement by the GPDA led fans to believe that FIA would change their working pattern. However, to their surprise, the governing body neglected the GPDA’s plea.
On the other hand, Mohammed Ben Sulayem‘s ignorance has been understood as the main culprit for this. This infuriated David Coulthard, who asserted that the 63-year-old’s condescending remarks were destroying people’s faith in the governing body.
Now, that is exactly the sort of condescending response that p***es people off nowadays. To be dismissed in a way, like your opinion doesn’t matter. We revere these guys. We celebrate these guys. The Drivers’ Championship is what gets all of the publicity. And then, on the other hand, senior people want to go, ‘Yeah, look, just get on and drive the car!’
David Coulthard said on Formula For Success podcast
Also, Sulayem and his board had recently passed a questionable statute. These changes seemingly granted power to the superior members with reduced measures of checks and balances. Subsequently, these changes were also criticized, but the president has not commented on the matter.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem asserts that he does not care about any criticism
While Coulthard and other revered members have bashed Sulayem for his governance, Sulayem has turned a blind eye to such matters. Moreover, the 63-year-old revealed that he does not care about the criticism he receives from anyone.
On the surface, this behavior might not help him regain his office in the next presidential elections. Moreover, elections for the president’s office are supposed to be conducted next year. Sulayem’s unlikeable character in F1 could play a major role in him not being able to continue his role at the FIA.
No, big time. No. I will tell you something, what’s happening. I think I live free of charge in their brains, huh… It’s a good apartment there, they give me.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem said (via AutoSport)
However, the names of the candidates for the election have not been formalized as of yet. The Emirati is understood to re-participate in the election process while his opponent’s name is still in discussion.
So, Sulayem would have to make a strong case in the next F1 season that he possesses transparency and accountability, which he has lacked over the past few years. This might be the only savior to his dwindling presidential campaign.
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Geetansh Pasricha
(772 Articles Published)