Jean Todt reacts to Mohammed Ben Sulayem criticism and accusations amid FIA president role

Shortly after assuming the role of FIA president in December 2021, Mohammed Ben Sulayem wasted no time in criticizing the former Jean Todt administration, accusing the Frenchman of leaving the federation exposed with a significant debt and a legal dispute over HALO patents still to be resolved. Two years later, the former general manager and CEO of Ferrari wanted to publicly respond to these accusations.

Todt refutes Ben Sulayem’s claims about his tenure as FIA president
“There was a financial problem we were not aware of,” the Arab president had declared at the time, suggesting that the pandemic had actually been used as an excuse by the previous administration. “We had a deficit even before the pandemic, but I am happy to have solved it.”

In a lengthy interview with l’Equipe, Jean Todt claimed credit for the positive achievements during his 12 years leading the federation: “When I left, reserves amounted to over 250 million euros. When I arrived in 2009, there were only 40 million euros, even though the FIA had just sold the commercial rights of Formula 1 for a hundred years a few years earlier.” – he pointed out – “I don’t call it a deficit,” the Frenchman adds in response to the term used by Ben Sulayem. “When I left, the budget had almost tripled, with many new competitions and sources of income, such as Formula E, the World Endurance Championship, or the Rally Raid Championship.”

As for the alleged legal case regarding HALO patents, Jean Todt commented, “It’s true that when I left, we left a pending dispute, but it was not swept under the rug. It was well-documented and monitored by our services. We presented it to the Senate and the World Council before I left, and the current president participated in this presentation.” – he added. – “It was a case filed in Texas by an engineer who owned a valid patent only in the United States, and for a short period. So, when I left, there was nothing secret. I wasn’t surprised; I knew who my successor was. I know the character.”

Todt not surprised by Ben Sulayem’s criticism
“For me, they don’t matter. I start from the principle that when one chapter closes, another opens, and we don’t allow ourselves to attack our predecessor. Whether it’s leaving Peugeot, Ferrari, or the FIA, I have never said a bad word. It doesn’t make sense to launch accusations, especially when they are false.”

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“The reality is what I just told you. And I add, regarding the FIA’s income, that under my presidency, the Hundred Years Agreement and the Concord Agreement between the FIA and F1 were renegotiated before Liberty Media became the owner of FOM.”

Jean Todt’s argument continued, emphasizing that it is mainly thanks to him that the FIA can enjoy the credibility it has today: “Without going into details, I can tell you that the Federation’s revenues have increased very noticeably compared to before. Its position in the governance of F1 has also been restored. Now it has a third of the votes, along with FOM and the teams. It’s night and day compared to previous agreements.”

Finally, the former president concludes with a dig at Mohammed Sulayem: “You cannot prevent someone from criticizing or disagreeing. However, everything I did during my presidency was always approved by the Senate and World Councils. Everything that was implemented during my term has been overturned.” – the former Ferrari boss concluded.