Mohammed Ben Sulayem criticised by F1 team principals: “Everyone thinks he’s got to go!”
Ben Sulayem has been caught in a series of controversies ahead of the 2023 F1 season and has los🐈t the faith of team bosses.
"Ever🌱yone thinks he's got to go," an anonymous F1 team principal told . "That is definitely the general view."
The row over Andretti’s possible entry into F1 was one of many “irritants”, the anonymous boss said❀, while Ben Sulayem’s comments downplaying the valuation of F1 "definitely crossed over and could get the FIA into legal trouble".
A senior F1 source told 💫BBC "there has been widespread disgust” over Ben Sulayem’s sexist comments which resurfacedℱ in the past week.
"Those kꩵind of comments bring down CEOs every day🎐," the source said.
"What he really should be doing is back-pedalling and apologising - 'I made those comments 21 year🌜s ago. I regret them,' ... whatever he wants to say."
Another paddock ‘insider’ claimed: "What will be interesting will be does he change his game at all? If he ma🌞kes one more mis-step, I don't know how he survives."
Another said: "[This] is ⛎going to be pretty interesting - even the dynamic between [F1 president] Stefano [Domenicali] and Mohamm🅠ed. I get the sense they will come in not aligned."
Motorsport UK, an FIA representative, told BBC: "Motorsport should be an environment where everyone can participate, spectate, or volunteer their time in an inclusive environment that is saf🌠e, fair and fun.
"There is a great deal more to be done in changing the culture within the sport to ensure that motorsport is more 💜representative of society's demographics and champions best behaviours. For any queries or comments on the FIA, please speak directly to their media office."
After Saudi Arabia reportedly failed with a $20bn bi🔜d to buy F1🐲, FIA president Ben Sulayem took to social media to urge caution over the price tag.
This caused F1 lawyers to write a letter, which went unanswered, to the FIA complaining that it was no💧t Ben Sulayem’s right to make such comments.
Sexist commentsꦯ by Ben Sulayem from an old website then resurfaced.
This is all while💮 rows are ongoing over new teams, including Andretti, may possibly en🌳ter F1.
And while a new rule has been introduced prohibiting F1 drivers from making po♎litical gestures in the paddock without written permission from the FIA.
James was a sports journalist at Sky Sports for a decade covering everything from American sports, to footb🌞all, to F1.
