The FIA has expressed “great concern” regarding allegations reportedly involving President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, which have surfaced in the media and led to “inaccurate” reports.
Following the Bahrain Grand Prix, the opening event of the 2024 F1 season, the BBC disclosed that two allegations had been brought to the attention of the FIA’s compliance officer, implicating President Ben Sulayem.
One allegation suggests that President Ben Sulayem sought to have a penalty imposed on Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso at the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix overturned.
Another claim suggests that he allegedly intervened to prevent the new Las Vegas GP circuit, which debuted in 2023, from attaining Grade 1 status.
The FIA has released a statement addressing the issue. However, the statement does not delve into the specifics of the allegations or identify the individuals implicated.
On Tuesday night, the FIA issued the following statement: “The FIA confirms that the Compliance Officer has received a report detailing potential allegations involving certain members of its governing bodies.
“The Compliance Department is assessing these concerns, as is common practice in these matters, to ensure that due process is meticulously followed.”
The latest update from the FIA, as reported by the Associated Press, does not provide details regarding the allegations or the individuals involved. However, it does assert that certain aspects of the media coverage regarding the situation contain inaccuracies.
“It is unfortunate and a source of great concern that the matter has been disclosed to the media without any prior authorisation and that certain elements of the report were inaccurately reported,” the statement states.
According to the Associated Press, it is believed that the whistleblower responsible for these allegations is a former FIA employee who currently works for Formula One Management.
Despite the off-track uncertainties, Formula 1 is gearing up for its second race of the F1 2024 season as the series returns to Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Max Verstappen, the current three-time World Champion for Red Bull Racing, enters the upcoming event as the undisputed favorite.
Verstappen dominated the season opener in Bahrain, securing a commanding victory from pole position. His teammate Sergio Perez also played a crucial role, securing a Red Bull one-two finish as the RB20 car showcased its dominance at the Bahrain International Circuit.
