FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem is reportedly in hot water once again, this time from the governing body itself with an investigation underway into allegations he interfered with a Formula 1 race result.
The result in question is Fernando Alonso’s third-place finish at the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Alonso was initially handed a 10-second penalty for pit crew touching his car during the serving of a five-second penalty.
The decision was later overturned after Aston Martin submitted a protest with video evidence in support, but now BBC Sport reports that a report by an FIA compliance officer to its ethics committee reveals a whistleblower claims Ben Sulayem tried to influence the outcome.
It is alleged that the FIA President contacted the FIA Vice-President for Sport (Middle East), Abdullah bin Isa Al Khalifa, who is the president of the Bahrain Motor Federation to try and force the decision be overturned.
The FIA compliance officer report seen by the BBC claims that Ben Sulayem: “pretended the stewards to overturn their decision to issue.”
This is the latest example of Ben Sulayem being at odds with F1.
His backing of Andretti’s failed F1 team bid caused a stir with all 10 teams and Formula One Management (FOM) and Ben Sulayem’s governance of the FIA has seen the governing body and FOM at odds over the forthcoming F1 Concorde agreement, with both parties jostling for more financial power.
Formula 1 journalist Joe Saward also adds that a second complaint has been made against the FIA President.
It is alleged there has been a breach of the rules that govern the FIA.
Terms list the FIA’s status as a non-profit entity, covered by the French “Association Loi” of 1901.
This status permits a certain level of expenses and claims suggested Ben Sulayem could have breached this limit via private jet and other transport usage.
The claims open the door for the FIA to potentially be liable for taxation or worse from the French authorities.
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