Emirati former rally driver Mohammed Ben Sulayem concluded a first year as President of the FIA which presented him with various challenges, above all the fact of having inherited the controversial moments related to what happened in Abu Dhabi in 2021 and even a Federation with a poor financial balance that needed to be restored.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem and his team have done their best they could and it was the President himself to first underline he is aware of the fact that constant updating is essential so that the FIA is able to manage all events:
“I expected nothing less. I knew it would be a big challenge in the FIA, to update and adapt to the new era. It’s like with the phone: if you don’t upgrade it, you fall behind. We must not simply be up to date, but anticipate everything. Regarding the regulations and the financial aspect, I have inherited some of the pre-existing problems. Decisions cannot be made without digging deeply into the facts. I’m not just talking about Formula 1, but about FIA motorsport in general,” Mohammed Ben Sulayem said at the press conference on the occasion of the FIA Award Ceremony.
The President used football as a comparison to underline how much an honor it is, but also a burden, to head a federation like the FIA: “Obviously there’s the glamorous part of being president, but you have to deal with the problems that there are. You can’t just run away and ask someone for help. You cannot depend on others. People sometimes don’t understand how many people there are in the FIA, it’s a complex system. Let’s look at football for example: there are two dimensions for the sides of the field and only one for the ball. Now let’s think about the FIA, even just karting. Let’s imagine the regulations involved and think of all categories, as well as Formula 1. Every day is a challenge. Both karts and cross karts are very expensive. In our manifesto, we said we wanted to double the motorsport audience and many thought it was impossible, but nothing is. Why can’t we attract people to motorsport? Because it’s expensive already at its first stage. We at FIA have given instructions to some regions to use their engines and produce their karts, fully respecting the regulations, but reducing the cost by 60%. I am optimistic that this will shake up both karting and cross-karting”.
Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection! Click here to enter the F1 online Store and shop securely! And also get your F1 tickets for every race with VIP hospitality and unparalleled insider access. Click here for the best offers to support Charles and Carlos from the track!
Obviously the flagship of the FIA is Formula 1, a category that is experiencing a magical moment in terms of popularity. A wave to ride and not to get overwhelmed by, losing sight of the real engine of everything, i.e. the competition on the track and the rules according to which it takes place: “Formula 1 is always the pinnacle of motorsport. The teams are constantly on edge. Formula 1 is healthy and 2022 has gone very well. We at FIA have to be careful though and at the same time fair. You must have rules, you can’t avoid updating and correcting them, you would end up like in wrestling” – Mohammed Ben Sulayem concluded concluded.
