Mohammed Ben Sulayem , new president of the FIA , has been seen in these first days of Dakar 2022 and, how could it be otherwise, has been exposed to several questions directly related to Formula 1 and more specifically with Hamilton , Verstappen and what happened at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
In a session with various media, including Motorsport.com, Sulayem assured that he is already working to the maximum and acknowledged that what happened in Yas Marina is already being investigated.
“How did I know this question was going to come…” he began when asked by Motorsport.com . “You can see what is being told in the press. I was just elected president two weeks ago, I am studying everything. I feel that we have a dynamic sport and we also have to be dynamic.”
And could the regulation change? The new president of the FIA is very clear: “Our rules can always be improved. The development of motorsport is so fast that what we had five years ago is no longer the same. So we have to adapt and we have to be proactive instead of of reagents. I’m going to study what happened in Abu Dhabi , and a decision will be made on how to move forward without any pressure from anyone.”
“It is my job and duty to protect the integrity of the FIA , but that does not mean that we do not analyze our regulations and if there is any way to improve them, we will do so. I said in my first appearance in the press that the regulations are not the book of God. This is written by humans, so it can be improved and it can be modified. That’s all,” Sulayem added.
In reference to the controversial non-appearance of Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff at the FIA awards gala in 2021, Mohammed Ben Sulayem was sympathetic to the Mercedes driver, but acknowledged that the rules are the same for everyone: “I sent him messages I think he’s not 100% right now, but I don’t blame him for that. I understand his position, of course he’s in a special moment, but the rules are there.”
If there have to be penalties, there will be: “For me it’s not something particular to a driver or a team. In general, there are rules that we have to respect. And I can’t judge anyone unless I get the facts right. I feel like Of course not being present at the gala dinner is something that the team and Lewis knew (that it couldn’t be done).”
Finally and referring to the rumors that point to a possible withdrawal of Hamilton , the president of the FIA was positive and explained that “everything will be solved”.
“We are all human, the stress and pressure has been there. I am sure that everything will be solved. We cannot think about our past. We have a lot to think about. We are the people of the future,” Mohammed Ben Sulayem concluded.
Lewis Hamilton after the 2021 F1 Abu Dhabi GP:
Photo by: Jerry Andre / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Jerry Andre / Motorsport Images
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Photo by: Steve Etherington/Motorsport Images
Photo by: Steve Etherington/Motorsport Images
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Photo de: Erik Junius
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Photo by: Zak Mauger/Motorsport Images
Photo by: Zak Mauger/Motorsport Images
Photo by: Zak Mauger/Motorsport Images
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