FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem issues statement following controversial comments on Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel
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FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem
Mohammed Ben Sulayem became the president of the FIA back in December, replacing Jean Todt, who had served for 12 years. In a recent interview with GrandPrix247, he was asked about the sport’s political tendencies, among other things. He felt that the drivers should just focus on the sport itself.
He pointed to drivers like Sebastian Vettel – who has always been outspoken in his support for many causes, including climate change and inclusion of the LGBTQ+, Lewis Hamilton has spoken about human rights in addition to other causes, and Lando Norris has often spoken about mental health. He felt that the drivers should not ‘impose’ their beliefs on other people.
“Niki Lauda and Alain Prost only cared about driving. Now, Vettel drives a rainbow bicycle, Lewis is passionate about human rights and Norris addresses mental health. Everybody has the right to think. To me, it is about deciding whether we should impose our beliefs in something over the sport all the time.”
“I am from an Arabian culture. I am international and Muslim. I do not impose my beliefs on other people? No way! Never. If you look at my operation in the UAE: 16 nationalities! Name me one federation that has that many nationalities. On top, there are over 34% women and 7 religions. And even more Christians than Muslims. I am proud because it creates credibility and merit.”
“But do I go and pose my beliefs? No. The rules are there, even now there are issues when it comes to – for example- jewelry, I didn’t write that.”
This created controversy among figures in the Formula 1 world. Sebastian Vettel recently posed on the cover of the UK’s largest gay lifestyle magazine, and Will Buxton came out in his support on Twitter. Following all of this, Ben Sulayem tweeted out, clarifying his stance on the subject.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem: “I have always believed in sport as a catalyst of progress”
Writing on his Twitter, Sulayem said: “As a driver, I have always believed in sport as a catalyst of progress in society.”
He added: “That is why promoting sustainability, diversity, and inclusion is a key priority of my mandate. In the same way, I value the commitment of all drivers and champions for a better future.”
Earlier, he had also been involved in a bit of a spat with Lewis Hamilton, over Hamilton’s refusal towards removing his piercings. As a premier leading figure in the sport, he felt that Hamilton should set a better precedent and serve as a role model for the rest of the drivers.
“I would like Lewis to be a role model, an ambassador, to send the right message to all the young drivers to prevent a tragedy. We should be using him in that good cause.”
The jewelry mandate is in place for fire safety, in conjunction with rules such as mandatory fireproof underwear.
“I love jewelry. I absolutely love it. But in the car there can be no choice. People say they (the rules) haven’t been implemented before. Don’t ask me why not. People can ask the old regime why that is the case.”
Sulayem is one of the most successful Arab motorsport drivers in history and has won 14 Middle East Rally Championships. He was also the first Arab to be appointed as the Vice President of the FIA.
Also Read: “It’s an issue for the FIA”: Christian Horner stays out of the discussion on the jewelry ban in F1
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Aniket Tripathi
(1002 Articles Published)