The FIA president has worn out F1’s welcome, and the team is now attempting to get rid of him. According to Sport1, Mohammad Ben Sulayem’s status as the FIA president is in jeopardy due to the power battle between F1 and the FIA.
This year, the tension, which had been escalating for some time, reached a completely new level. The FIA president’s relationship with Andretti Autosport and the organization’s aspirations to enter the sport—which have been resisted by the teams and F1 Management—was the beginning of everything.
Heavy criticism was levelled at the implementation of a rule that forbids drivers from making political remarks throughout the course of a race weekend.
The FIA president’s social media statements addressing the speculation that F1 may be sold for $20 billion appear to be the clincher.
According to Sport1’s report: “Iberty is eager to get rid of the irritable and uneasy Bin Sulayem. Thus, the appointment of the British David Richards (70) as the next FIA President may be seen as a compromise.”
“The former team manager of Benetton and BAR should not be reluctant and is already off to a good start, according to sources from SPORT1. But in order to do so, you would need to be able to demonstrate Ben Sulayem’s actual malfeasance.”
Who will the F1 team choose to succeed the current FIA president?
According to the article, Dave Richards may succeed Mohammad Ben Sulayem. In the 2000s, Richards held a significant position in the paddock.
He was one of the most well-known figures in the paddock at the time and the previous team principal of Benetton (now Alpine) and BAR, both of which are now a part of Mercedes.
ALSO READ: Aston Martin Snubs McLaren and Alpine’s F1 Title Chances
When Benetton sacked the flamboyant boss Flavio Briatore, he entered F1 as a team principal more than 25 years ago. Despite spending a year with the team, he was unable to come to terms with a long-term deal.
As team principal for BAR, the 70-year-old returned to the sport in 2001 and, among other things, played a key role in signing drivers like Jenson Button to the squad. When it finished second in the championship in 2004, the squad had attained its pinnacle. Multiple attempts to get the British driver back to the grid after he quit the sport in 2004 have failed.
F1 is seeking a president in Richards who is more adaptable and less disruptive, something that Mohammed Ben Sulayem has frequently lacked.
