FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has delivered an assault on the media together with a complicated assertion concerning the Method 1 British Grand Prix.
Talking to the media on the Dakar Rally, Ben Sulayem has reopened his criticism of the press in an odd rant, with it unsure what induced his newest outburst, because it raised extra questions on his operating of motorsport’s governing physique.
Ben Sulayem has repeated claims that he feels he has been unfairly criticised by the media. He additionally made a cryptic reference to the British GP having Qatar Airways as its title sponsor.
He stated: “Three years of critics towards me. Do I care? Was I elected to hearken to the media? No. I like the nice media, the constructive media and perhaps I make a mistake, and you may come and criticise me in an goal method.”
When requested about being handled unfairly, he added: “Unfair. However the world is unfair. Saudi Arabia has reinvested rather a lot.
“You take a look at among the British media they usually go towards Saudi Arabia or me. However one factor I might say, go on and see the British Grand Prix. Is it the British Grand Prix? No, it’s the Qatar Airways British Grand Prix. Please, you take away the price range, you take away the cash.”
Motorsport.com has requested the FIA for readability over the that means of Ben Sulayem’s feedback.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President, FIA
Picture by: Pink Bull Content material Pool
Ben Sulayem has been at loggerheads with the media – specifically the British press – since he was interviewed by Motorsport.com final yr on the Azerbaijan GP.
In a separate interview he reacted to Adrian Newey’s evaluation that each Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen had been demonised by the press.
Ben Sulayem provided his opinion on the topic including “should you take a look at the British media and what they did to me… For God’s sake, they convicted me”.
Throughout his tenure on the FIA, Ben Sulayem has been embroiled in controversy. His latest resolution to make alterations to the organisations statutes to consolidate his energy has been criticised by its members.
He has additionally been accused – and later cleared – of meddling within the end result of the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP and attempting to dam the FIA’s ratification of the inaugural Las Vegas GP.
Final yr, he took a tough stance on drivers’ swearing, incomes a rebuke from the Grand Prix Drivers’ Affiliation [GPDA].
A strongly-worded letter from the GPDA stated: “We urge the FIA President to additionally contemplate his personal tone and language when speaking to our member drivers, or certainly about them, whether or not in a public discussion board or in any other case.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President, FIA, talks with Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing, third place, in Parc Ferme
Picture by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Pictures
“Additional, our members are adults, they don’t must be given directions by way of the media about issues as trivial as carrying of jewelry and underpants.”
His newest assault on the media comes as he enters an election yr the place he at the moment faces no competitors for the FIA presidency.
Ben Sulayem’s feedback relating to the title sponsor of the British GP have additionally been put to Silverstone for a response.
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