Mohammed Ben Sulayem reaffirmed thathe believes he is unfairly criticized by part of the mediaduring an intervention at the Dakar rally, in Saudi Arabia.
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In a seemingly unsolicited speech, the 63-year-old Emirati, whose management of F1 has been the subject many reviewstold the English media Autosport: “Three years of criticism against me. Does this affect me? Am I elected to listen to the media? No. I appreciate good media, positive media. Maybe I’m making a mistake, and you can come and criticize me objectively. »
Mohammed Ben Sulayem criticized
Since taking office in December 2021, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been at the center of several controversies and has insisted that he was treated unfairly. “unfair”. The management of the FIA particularly added fuel to the fire. George Russell, president of the GPDA (pilots association), said: “Mohammed Ben Sulayem must explain to F1 drivers what the FIA’s objectives are. »
The FIA president also made an unexpected comment regarding the British Grand Prix sponsored by Qatar Airways: “Unfair. But the world is unfair. Saudi Arabia has reinvested a lot »he told reporters.
“Look at some of the British media, they are attacking Saudi Arabia or me. But one thing I would say, watch the British Grand Prix. Is this really the British Grand Prix? No, it’s the Qatar Airways British Grand Prix. Please withdraw the budget, withdraw the money. »
Precedents of Mohammed Ben Sulayem with the press
In an interview with Autosport during last year’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Mohammed Ben Sulayem previously criticized apparent bias in the British press.
He was reacting to comments made by former Red Bull designer Adrian Newey, who said in the podcast High Performance that Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel had been treated unfairly by the British media.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem supported this positionasserting: “I respect Max [Verstappen] because I’m a pilot. I was a champion and I respect winners and champions. I see he had his share [de mauvais traitement]but let’s talk about me. If you look at what the British press did to me… For God’s sake, they condemned me. They didn’t accuse me [directement]but they continue. And does this affect me? No. For what ? Because what are they looking for? They are looking to sell and gain visibility, of course. »
“But they have no power over me or the FIA. With all due respect, they don’t have a vote. We are an independent and democratic federation. The power lies with the General Assembly, not them. And you know what? Can we just stop this nonsense and get back to basics to do what’s best for the sport? If it’s possible. If this is not their will, too bad for them. »
“But life goes on. Do you know what they did to me? They made me stronger. I am now more careful and wiser. I have the support [des clubs membres]. And if, one day, the membership decides it is time to replace me as president, that will be their decision. »
“At the end of the day, who put me here? It’s the General Assembly, it’s the members. It’s very clear to me. And if they don’t like it, that’s their problem. »
