Ben Sulayem responds to FOM: 'Can we behave more maturely?'

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ben sulayem again lashes out at formula 1 during interview
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  • Ludo van Denderen

Mohammed Ben Sulayem believes the relationship between the FIA and FOM has "improved a lot" recently. The FIA president believes the FOM now understands the FIA's role and what it is working towards. This comes as the Emirati targets a second term in the 2025 election.

The FIA and Formula One Management (FOM) relationship hasn't been perfect in recent years. Since Mohammed Ben Sulayem became president of the motorsport federation, a number of issues have occurred. One of the most talked-about aspects was the FIA's decision to allow potential F1 teams to sign up.

According to Ben Sulayem, speaking to Motorsport.com, the relationship has improved. "FOM now understands the role of FIA. They now understand what our mission is," said the Emirati, who went on to say he did not understand what exactly was the problem in the past.

"What did I do wrong? Honestly... If I ask for a better deal for the FIA, who should I go to? Do I sometimes have to start paying for it out of my own pocket? I don't get a nickel from the FIA myself. So what exactly is the problem if I ask for better equipment and more resources to achieve a better sport?" said Ben Sulayem, referring to previous comments that he wanted the FIA to get more money from Formula One.

Ben Sulayem wants more mature behaviour from FOM

Ben Sulayem also reveals that FIA 'leases' Formula 1's commercial rights to FOM. In other words, FIA is ultimately the boss, and according to Ben Sulayem, FOM's executives now understand that. "All this nonsense we had before, this chatter about a split-off... Come on, for heaven's sake. Can we start behaving a bit more maturely? It's not going to happen anyway."

This article has been created in collaboration with Matt Gretton