F1 drivers opine on the situation surrounding the sport and also allegations laid on FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem on different matters.
The off-track shenanigans have taken centerstage in F1 with not just stories around Max Verstappen, Christian Horner, Red Bull, Mercedes, etc, but a new case involving FIA President Sulayem has come to light as well by various reports.
It involves Sulayem interfering in 2023 Saudi Arabian GP results where he wanted the penalty handed to Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso overturned. Additionally, he also wanted the FIA to not give green signal for 2023 Las Vegas GP to go ahead.
While the FIA has not named Sulayem or anyone, but they have confirmed that they are looking into the matter after getting a report. The F1 drivers are not too pleased with what is happening in the sport where off-track dramas have taken forefront.
The likes of George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris have voiced their opinion on sport going through this phase. Additionally, Max Verstappen also responded to the query about Sulayem meeting in private.
Concerned by FIA report –
Russell: “Yeah, I think we want to see all of the facts and just have total transparency, really. We’re all racing here. We want a fair and level playing field for us to showcase what we can do. I can’t really comment further. We were surprised a year ago when the result got overturned, as the legal team at Mercedes thought they did a great job of, you know, presenting our case and initially winning the case and then losing it thereafter. So, you know, we just want to see transparency and have the opportunity to race on a fair playing field.”
Off-track dramas –
Russell: “Yeah, I think… Well, two things. I feel that the racing needs to be at the forefront of everything. And this is what we all love and what we’re here to fight for. And it’s a shame when that isn’t the forefront of the media attention. But equally, Formula 1 is at the forefront of technology. I think from an entertainment standpoint, I think we’ve been really pushing the boundaries in the last few years. And we do need to create an environment that is inclusive for everybody. We’re seeing the demographic change over the past couple of years, and it does need to be inclusive. So unfortunately, you need to have these hard conversations and questions. And going back to the earlier point, you want to see transparency within all of these reports, because ultimately, until we see the facts, we can’t really comment. But yeah.”
F1 Facing lots of dramas but not on track –
Hamilton: “As someone who loves the sport, it’s definitely disappointing to see what’s going on right now. It doesn’t look good from the outside world, the outside looking in. I think it’s a really, really important time for the sport to really show and stick to its values, holding ourselves accountable for our actions. And it’s a really, really pivotal moment, I think, for the sport, in terms of what we project to the world, and how it’s handled. And it’s not been handled very well to this point. Transparency is really key. And I’m really, really hoping to see some progress moving forwards. I hope it’s not a year that continues to go on with this. But it highlights some of the issues we also have within the sport. And when we’re talking about diversity, inclusion, that inclusion for example, and making people feel comfortable in this environment, is key. And it’s clearly not the case. Fans need to trust us, they need to be able to trust the sport. I don’t really know what to say. This is not the part of the sport that I love. But you find these things, I guess, in business. It definitely is an interesting time.”
Your podium under investigation –
Alonso: “There is too much talk off-track because the on-track activity is not very exciting at the moment. There is one car winning the last 72 grands prix, more or less dominating for three years, so when this happens in the sport, there is always a lot of activity off-track. From what concerns us, it is not a problem, it is more an FIA investigation that we have to respect and see the outcome. We are happy with all the evidence and proof we showed last year, so it was quite a clear resolution for us. So let’s see what the FIA says on their own investigation, but it is not really up to us. It is very difficult to comment because every day, it seems there is another rumour going out. This is their own matter and their own investigation, we just respect it, follow it and see the outcome. It’s difficult to comment from the outside.”
Your take on all happening –
Norris: “The FIA ethics case is a bigger topic. Again, it’s not something that directly involves me. And I’m sure there’s the investigations going on and all of that, and I don’t know everything about it. If it does come up, and the drivers are more involved, then absolutely I will comment, but of course, it wasn’t something that we knew about either. And I don’t know all the facts about it. So, it’s not something I can speak about, but you never want that sort of thing to happen at any point. Because of preference or whatever it is from any side. So yeah, as long as that gets resolved, then all looks good.”
Meet with Mohammed Ben Sulayem for Christian Horner –
Verstappen: “I am not going to say yes or no about things because he came to me in private. He said to me something but I am not going to say yes or no.”
Here’s Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell on Jos and Mercedes matter
Here’s FIA on recent allegations
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