FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has delivered an assault on the media together with a complicated assertion concerning the Formulation 1 British Grand Prix.
Talking to the media on the Dakar Rally, Ben Sulayem has reopened his criticism of the press in a wierd rant, with it unsure what prompted 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 in opposition to me. Do I care? Was I elected to take heed to the media? No. I like the great media, the constructive media and perhaps I make a mistake, and you’ll 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 lots.
“You have a look at a few of the British media they usually go in opposition to Saudi Arabia or me. However one factor I’d 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 finances, you take away the cash.”
Motorsport.com has requested the FIA for readability over the which means of Ben Sulayem’s feedback.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President, FIA
Photograph 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 12 months 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 have 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 choice 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 consequence of the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP and attempting to dam the FIA’s ratification of the inaugural Las Vegas GP.
Final 12 months, 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 think about 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
Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Pictures
“Additional, our members are adults, they don’t should 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 12 months the place he at present faces no competitors for the FIA presidency.
Ben Sulayem’s feedback concerning the title sponsor of the British GP have additionally been put to Silverstone for a response.
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