Mohammed Ben Sulayem Cleared of Interference Charges by FIA’s Independent Investigation

The FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been caught up in a controversy where he is being blamed for wanting to cancel the Las Vegas Grand Prix. As the 2024 season begins, the sport found itself embroiled in a series of controversies, with the spotlight falling on none other than Ben Sulayem.

Accused of meddling in race outcomes and attempting to halt the much-anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix, Ben Sulayem’s reputation faced scrutiny. After the accusation became public, The FIA Ethics Committee stepped in and investigated the situation. Now that the investigation has been completed, the verdict is out.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem cleared of the accusations

Last year was quite difficult for Mohammed Ben Sulayem and it’s catching up with him again. The FIA President faced accusations of interference in the results of the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP and an alleged attempt to cancel the 2023 Las Vegas GP. In a recent statement, the FIA Ethics Committee has announced that they have found no evidence of interference from Ben Sulayem.

After a thorough investigation spanning 30 days, the FIA Ethics Committee has found no evidence of interference by the FIA President in the 2023 Formula 1 events in Saudi Arabia and Las Vegas. An independent body determined that the claims against the FIA President were unsubstantiated.

The investigation, managed by the Compliance Officer and reviewed by a six-person ethics body, included interviews with 11 witnesses. The FIA Compliance Department, with support from external advisors, conducted comprehensive inquiries into allegations of potential interference in sporting decisions during the 2023 Formula One events.

Despite accusations of attempting to hinder the approval of the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit, Ben Sulayem claimed in the past that he always supported the project. Adding that he could have legally refused approval but chose not to, as the results would be disastrous for the sport.

A deep dive into the accusations against Mohammed Ben Sulayem

Mohammed Ben Sulayem faced allegations of misconduct related to his involvement in decisions during the 2023 Formula 1 season, particularly concerning the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the certification process for the first Las Vegas Grand Prix. The first allegation centered around Ben Sulayem’s purported interference with the Stewards’ decision during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. It was claimed that he applied pressure to overturn a 10-second penalty imposed on Fernando Alonso for an infringement while serving a penalty. Reports suggested that Ben Sulayem contacted Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamas bin Isa Al Khalifa, the FIA’s president for sport for the Middle East and North Africa, to request the rescinding of the penalty on the Aston Martin driver.

The second allegation revolved around Ben Sulayem’s alleged attempt to interfere with the track certification process for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. It was claimed that he instructed individuals involved in the certification process to identify issues with the venue and declare the track unsafe for drivers. The whistleblower suggested that Ben Sulayem aimed to postpone the homologation process for the Las Vegas track, possibly due to concerns or objections regarding the suitability or safety of the circuit. By allegedly attempting to influence the certification process, Ben Sulayem may have been perceived as obstructing the organization of the Grand Prix and potentially disrupting the F1 calendar.

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