FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has launched a scathing attack on its lack of recognition as Formula 1 continues to sustain unprecedented popularity.
With F1 enjoying massive global expansion and outreach, commercial rights holder Liberty Media has won plaudits for its aggressive strategy.
The expanding viewership is complimented by an unexpectedly close championship fight in 2024 amid Red Bull‘s domination earlier in the current ground effect era.
However, the FIA and Liberty Media relationship has proven to be a fragile alliance at the best of times, with consistent disagreement over jurisdiction, such as the Andretti saga.
Speaking in an interview with Autosport, the FIA President lamented the lack of recognition for the sport’s governing body, highlighting it never gets the credit it deserves.
“No, we will never get the credit. Impossible,” he argued. “We’ll only get rubbish. That I know.”
“When you look at it, everybody made money out of the FIA, everyone except the FIA. Everyone gets the credit, except the FIA.”
A desire to be equal fuelling FIA President
Ben Sulayem then subtly criticised what he sees as Liberty Media’s power over financial jurisdiction, targeting an equal money-making partnership.
“It’s true. When I took over, we had a running operating cost of minus 20 million,” he explained. “Why? Because we have our income as everybody.”
“But look at the promoters… And good on them and I congratulate them, they are smart enough to do that…
“But I’ll be very, very honest, as always. So Liberty Media did a great job in transforming Formula 1. If you tell me if I could go back in time, would I undo [that]? No way.
“I wouldn’t undo that, but I would just make sure that the FIA is two equals with them.
“They are a good promoter, they are. If you ask me today: is there anyone who is capable as much as them? I can see that [there isn’t].
“I support them in what they are doing. The FIA works with them in the best [possible] way.
“But then, the regulations and the governance is the [work of the] FIA. And then, let everyone make money.
“Let the drivers have fun, race in a safe way and make money. And let the team principals make more money, [and] they are.”
“But the FIA will never get the credit. Impossible.”
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