New challenger for FIA president? – Whether its the wringing of hands or a gnashing of teeth in the Formula One paddock in Austria, it appears a deal may have been done for current FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to stand for re-election unopposed in this year’s presidential elections in November.

The current regime, headed up by the UAE ex-rally driver has faced scandal and significant criticism and Ben Sulayem being the first non-F1 affiliated head of the FIA for half a century, tensions between the sport an its governing body have at times threatened to boil over.

The F1 drivers have expressed concerns over the autocratic nature of the current regime, where they feel their voice goes unheard and that they have faced petty campaigns against them over jewellery and officially approved underpants. So irritated by the drivers at their treatment, their union penned an open letter of complaint to the FIA last November. This was the first such document the drivers had ever collaborated upon.

 

 

 

FIA president at loggerheads with F1

Following the unilateral introduction of a swearing clampdown instigated by Ben Sulayem, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association demanded to be “treated like adults” and called on the FIA president to “consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them, whether in a public forum or otherwise.”

In true authoritarian fashion, this communiqué precipitated an even more draconian set of anti-bad language rules as Ben Sulayem sought to demonstrate who was in charge. Drivers’ fines were trebled and a three strikes and a ‘one race ban’ penalty was legislated for and once again the FIA and drivers’ were at loggerheads.

Clearly behind the scenes the GPDA legal eagles went to work and in March this year the new swearing penalties we’re watered down somewhat. Previously, F1 drivers could be fined €40,000 (£33,700) for a first offence, and double that plus a ban for a second offence. Now the initial level of the fine has been reduced to €5,000 and a strangely worded clause which lifts the potential for a race ban.

That said unspecified and “more severe penalties” may still be imposed for “very serious offences”. Whilst drivers can still be punished for bad language there is now defined “official settings” where the FIA has jurisdiction and other occasions – such as behind the wheel of a race car – where they do not.

Horner grave warning about Verstappen

 

 

 

Rules of the election changed

Yet in any setting it remains the case drivers’ can be punished for bad language, abuse of officials, criticism of the FIA or “general making and display of political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA under its statutes”. For this latter offence, as well as any “public incitement to violence or hatred”, the fine is higher, at €20,000 (£16,800).

F1 too has had its run ins with Ben Sulayem, issuing a legal “cease and desist” letter to the FIA president together with threats of legal action should their commercial interest be damaged by his comments on X. Across the entire paddock, senior F1 personnel were praying for someone to oppose Ben Sulayem at this years elections, to the end that Carlos Sainz Snr indicated he wold consider challenging for the role.

Ben Sulayem’s response was to make it ever harder for a sitting president to be challenged, moving forward the date for an accepted application together with a veto for the sitting president on any challenger he felt was inappropriate. The response to this article being adopted is that Carlos Sainz Snr has now decided to pull out of the presidential race, citing his reasons.

“I have worked hard these past months to understand in depth the situation at the FIA and the demands and complexities that come with such an important project,” wrote Sainz. “After a thoughtful reflection, I have come to the conclusion that the present circumstances are not ideal to set the grounds for my candidacy.

Ferrari set to ruin Hamilton’s record

 

 

 

Sainz pulls out, but others remain

“Furthermore, I have realised that properly running for president would notably compromise my preparation for the Dakar and I do not wish to weaken my commitment to Ford and my team. These concerns have therefore inclined me to be realistic and desist from my FIA endeavour for now,” the Spaniard concluded.

Sainz does’t close the door on a future challenge but may have misunderstood the time it takes to build support amongst the organisations 245 member associations. This is a highly political role to undertake and Sainz announcement in May was probably too late for the Spaniard to fully get to grips the machinations of how the secretive organisation fully operates.

Does this mean Ben Sulayem will stand unopposed? Presently he is the only declared candidate although there are a number of contenders believed to be working behind the scenes on a challenge. Even though the new decline for a declaration has been moved up from 21 before the vote, to 49 days, this means any potential candidate can yet be declared by October 24th this year. And for some in the paddock, senior F1 statesman Martin Brundle would make an excellent choice.

Almost as if choreographed, today Ben Sulayem finally published the previously secretive driving standards guidelines issued each year to the stewards. It is an attempt to resolve the repeated criticism that the F1 stewards are inconsistent in their decision making.

Huge update for Hamilton’s Ferrari

 

 

 

FIA ‘transparent’ rule book published

George Russell praised the newfound openness of the FIA:“Greater transparency within the governance of our sport is an important issue and this is a useful step in that direction,” stated the GPDA director. “Hopefully it will be beneficial for the sport to give the media and fans a clearer understanding of the rules of engagement when we’re racing on track, and to help them understand how the stewards reach their decisions.”

The 2024 F1 driving standards were leaked following heated debates over on track moves involving Lando Norris and Max Verstappen in both COTA and Mexico towards the close of last seasons. The 2025 update relates to the rules of engagement for overtaking and defensive driving.

A driver now attempting an inside overtake must have his front axle alongside his rivals wing mirror and remain fully in control of their car to complete the move and leave room on the outside. This is an attempt to restrict the old fashioned “dive bomb” up the inside, something Max Verstappen is often accused of doing.

The standards are not codified, which would be a disastrous approach to have given the uniqueness of each scenario the stewards face. Although the penalties are now detailed for situations like ‘an unsafe release’, ‘aggressive manoeuvres’, ‘unsafe driving’, ‘ignoring signals’ along with a host of others.

 

 

 

MORE F1 NEWS – Cadillac F1 in disarray

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Of course none of the sport’s top drivers from McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull would ever take a punt on such a new outfit, so the question is why are Cadillac delaying this decision? Add to this that just five drivers are out of contract this year, those being George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda and Franco Colapinto.

As a new team with no previous F1 experience or a database of circuit relevant data, Cadillac will surely opt for two drivers with expensive F1 experience. Leaving the grid last season were Kevin Magnussen, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez and Zhou Guanyu. The Chinese driver only ever drove two seasons for bottom of the pile kick Sauber and is surely out of contention, although his vast array of Chinese financial backers could bring much needed funds to a new F1 team…. READ MORE