Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the president of the FIA, has stated that everyone benefits financially from the FIA except for them and that the organization does not get enough credit for enhancing Formula One.
Ben Sulayem believes the FIA, which is in charge of many different motorsport series in addition to Formula One, does not receive enough recognition for the job they accomplish.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem hits out at lack of credit for FIA
In 2021, Ben Sulayem took over as president from Jean Todt. While the presidency does not carry a salary, the FIA makes money through entry fees for teams and super licence fees.
However, Ben Sulayem does not overlook the fact that promoters have made far more money as a result of F1’s increasing popularity.
“We won’t ever receive recognition. Unthinkable,” he said to Motorsport.com. “All we’ll get is garbage. I am aware of that.
“When you take a look at it, everyone—aside from the FIA—made money off of the FIA. Everyone wins, with the exception of the FIA.
“That is accurate. We had running operating costs of minus twenty million when I took over. Why? since we all have the same income. However, observe the promoters. They deserve my congratulations for being intelligent enough to do that, so good on them.
Ben Sulayem continued by saying that the people who stood to gain the most from the sale of Formula One were Liberty Media, the sport’s owners, and that if he had been involved in the negotiations, he would have sought a better agreement for the Formula One Association.
But like always, I’ll be brutally honest. Thus, Liberty Media transformed Formula 1 quite effectively. Would I undo [that] if you told me I could go back in time? Not in a way. While I wouldn’t reverse that, I would make sure that the FIA and them are on an equal footing.
They do a good job of promoting themselves. Is there anyone else today who is as capable as they are, if I may ask? That is evident to me [there isn’t]. I applaud them for the work they are doing. To the best [of its ability], the FIA collaborates with them.
However, the FIA is in charge of governance and regulations.
After that, let everyone become wealthy. Permit the drivers to enjoy themselves, compete safely, and earn money. Allow the team principals to earn more money as they are already doing so.
However, the credit will never go to the FIA. Unthinkable.
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