FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem has effectively told drivers to mind their own business and get on with their own jobs.

At a time the sport's governing body is facing mounting criticism following the fiasco of Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix, it is already under fire from drivers for all manner of reasons, including not being treated like adults (in terms of swearing), concern over where the money from fines goes and the obvious unrest within the FIA as senior figures are either sacked or quit.

Asked about the situation at the FIA, particularly the shock firing of race director Niels Wittich, George Russell told reporters: "We'd love to get a little bit of clarity and understanding of what's going on and who's getting fired next.

"Just when we've asked for transparency and consistency, we're getting rid of two highly important people in the governing body," he added, referring to the sacking of Tim Mayer, a senior steward for fifteen years. "It's gone in full 360. We still don't have any reasoning for Niels' removal and I don't think anybody was informed about Tim leaving."

Ben Sulayem's reaction was blunt and to the point.

"Do we tell them how to drive? Do we tell them what to have as their strategy?" he said, according to ESPN.

"It's none of their business," he added. "Sorry, I am a driver. I respect the drivers. Let them go and concentrate on what they do best, which is race."

Referring to their call for transparency in terms of where the fines money goes, he said: "They talk and then they say, where are you putting the money? Why we don't do this? I don't say 'Oh, sorry, what about you...

"The drivers are getting over 100 million. Do I ask where they spend it? No. It's up to them. It's their right.

"We do whatever we do with the money. It's our business. It's also with them and their money. It's their business."

Suggesting that he appears to live free in the brains of his (many) critics, the FIA president said that $10.9m (£8.5m) has been invested in grassroots single-seater racing over the last year.

"You really think I would waste the money?" he asked. "This is not commercial. This is the money of the members, and I have been elected to safeguard that.

"I have been elected to fix the FIA. and I am fixing it," he added. "I am very happy with our new team. Very happy.

"I inherited an FIA with an operating cost of €-23m (£-19.1m). And where is it now? This will be the first year that we are plus."

Judging by his response, it looks like there will be a few more sackings and departures along the way, and it is probably just as well he isn't in charge of driver contracts.

And to think you moaned about Max and Bernie.

Talking of Bernie... bet not one Liberty executive could identify a single model from the magnificent collection of F1 cars the former supremo is selling.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Geeza1966, 11/12/2024 8:35

"Yes Max, I did read this article as I read all your articles and find them both amusing and fascinating all at the same time...I absolutely love each and every one.... But getting what he wants when he likes is not really the way forward here.... I know that MBS has a long history in motorsport but much like any job or career that we all pursue, just because you put the hard yards in and, if you like, work 80 hours a week, its no good if only 50 are constructive, meaningful or actually sound. It doesn't make it just or right either.... Now we hear that the governance rules are to be tweaked so that the FIA become even more self governing... Remember FIFA under Sepp Blatter??? Mmmmm.... I suppose that where I am really coming from is that he is basically telling drivers to mind their own business whilst we have Mission 44 setup up by Sir Lewis which is doing so much for ethnic minorities and inclusivity and many other issues to boot, along with so many other programs all along the pitlane. I am sure Lewis finds the current FIA shenanigan's cringe-able.....And I am sure that all the foundations and programs that all benefit from all the teams are extremely grateful that they are not "minding their own business" Its such a shame that someone can't persuade someone like David Richards from Motorsport UK to throw his hat into the ring for governance... Just a thought."

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2. Posted by Max Noble, 04/12/2024 8:13

"@Geeza1966 - If you’ve not read the PitPAss “He Knows, you know” article I recommend it. There is a little on MBS’ past. He has a long history in Motorsport… and a long history of getting what he wants, his way…"

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3. Posted by Geeza1966, 04/12/2024 7:11

"When will everyone see sense and actually nominate a true motorsport person with a modicum of actual experience in dealing with motorsport matters?? Where did Sulayem even come from in the first place?? Surely everyone can see that the oil rich countries with squillionaire leaders/presidents/dignitaries are pretty much taking over our sport, along with the Yankee Doodle Dandies too.... The head of the FIA needs to be knowledgeable, experienced, impartial and able to break bread with all the other bodies involved... Including human ones. What we have now is the most technical sport in the world run by people who are totally devoid of any common sense. I am English and install blinds and shutters for a living in Australia, but have watched, listened, studied and understand Formula 1 from a 45 year standpoint. I could do a better job than these clowns any day of the week. But we now live in a society where everyone seems to be frightened to death to actually speak out and give an honest opinion. I have done so here.... I will always love F1 and will always support and enjoy all its traits. But boy oh boy do this lot make it hard...."

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4. Posted by Max Noble, 04/12/2024 7:04

"@ARL - LOL, yes thanks for reminding mine. Bernie was in a class of his own with polite put-downs. Shame it appears to be Dick-tater’s R US on all fronts around the world right now. “Governance” and “Committee” appear to be bad words for thr ruling class right now…"

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5. Posted by ARL, 03/12/2024 22:14

"@Max, I do recall Bernie once comparing drivers to light bulbs to be screwed into or out of their seats at the whim of Bernie (granted when he was in team owner mode)!

There again, at a time when Bernie would like maximum F1 publicity exposure to encourage interest in his car sale, perhaps we should get out the popcorn and wait for developments.

As an aside I did wonder if the W125 in the front row of the sales picture is the one which a one-time Japanese owner had threatened to have crushed when he found that he could not raise as much for it as he had paid when forced to sell it due to financial exigencies. I suspect it is one of only two genuine pre-war W125s outside M-B control. The other one regularly turns up at the Goodwood Festival. "

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6. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 03/12/2024 22:00

"MBS must be having deja vu when asked where the money is going. His private office was looked into by an audit committee over a 1.5M "presidents fund". Apparently this guy was using it as a personal cash card. When asked to produce receipts for his spending he fired people and refused to produce them, then turned around and started to pay from his own pocket so that he couldn't be asked to show receipts. He was paying off clubs that vote in the FIA elections.

Now he wants to change how the Ethics and Audit Committees operate. Both, not coincidentally, have investigated into MBS's conduct as FIA president. The proposed changes effectively would prevent the audit committee from investigating financial issues independently and as for the ethics committee the senate would be stripped of its power to review ethics complaints. Instead, the change would make it so that only the FIA President and the president of the senate would review the complaints together.

Corruption is afoot within the FIA, so why should the drivers mind their business? "

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7. Posted by Superbird70, 03/12/2024 18:28

"Well, the drivers are not getting their money's worth in terms of stewarding, and application of rules which are two of the services for which the FIA is responsible. They have a right to be vocal."

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8. Posted by meatball, 03/12/2024 17:58

"they have every right to know where the money from fines is going when some of the fines seem so arbitrary and it can come directly from a driver or team pocket. Internal workings? yeah maybe that is not the driver's business but where the money goes is absolutely something they should know about."

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9. Posted by yakker, 03/12/2024 14:56

"Is time to reform FOTA?"

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10. Posted by Dirt, 03/12/2024 14:03

"From a certain perspective MBS is right, the drivers do not run the FIA. In my humble opinion the error here has been the drivers poking the FIA in public. Answers might be more forthcoming outside the public eye. Then again, maybe the drivers are going public because MBS has shut them down in private. Maybe this is down to GR and his particular style as the head of the GPDA clashing with MBS as the head of the FIA? "

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11. Posted by JamesD, 03/12/2024 13:36

"Isn't it time Ben was booted down the road. Embarrassment of an FIA President !!"

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12. Posted by kenji, 03/12/2024 13:29

"Seems as though MBS has taken a leaf out of Hamlton's playbook on 'go swivel' etiquette! Just what we needed. Wow what a season..."

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13. Posted by Max Noble, 03/12/2024 12:05

"…and let the games begin! Oh wow! Can we please have Bernie make a guest appearance in the octagon on this one…? The head of the FIA telling the drivers to get back in their boxes… Does he realise they make his sport…?
"

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