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Analysis | Ben Sulayem is going to lose a war with the FIA's cash cow
- Ludo van Denderen
With an unprecedentedly powerful statement, the 20 F1 drivers have expressed frustration with the FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Anyone who reads the text closely will see a lot of built-up frustration with the president, ranging from misunderstanding about the penalties for swearing given to Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc to the ban for - notably - Lewis Hamilton on wearing jewellery during Grands Prix. Patience with Ben Sulayem has clearly run out, but will it all bring much change?
In 12 months, Ben Sulayem hopes to be re-elected president of the International Motorsport Federation. It will almost certainly not be an exciting election, as there are no serious opposing candidates for the Emirati. Should there still be one, Ben Sulayem has an important trump card in his hands: He can promise mountains of gold to any motorsport federation in the world in exchange for their support.
This is how Ben Sulayem can secure himself a second term as president
Remember: In the election, every vote counts equally. The British motorsport federation has one vote, as many as the motorsport federation in, say, Ethiopia or Taiwan. And it is precisely the small countries - which play a marginal role in the world of motorsport - who are very welcoming to gifts from Ben Sulayem. Therefore, no one should doubt that Ben Sulayem is doing everything in his power to win over the small unions and secure a second term as president.
The 20 Formula 1 drivers also realise that they will have to put up with the Emirati - who is only too happy to be the first to warmly congratulate the podium finishers after a Grand Prix - for years to come. And since they have already been in talks with Ben Sulayem - it is clear from their statement - for three years about changing his tone and approach, quietly waiting for him to leave is no longer an option. Meanwhile, the drivers have become so irritated that they are banging their fists on the table and demanding adjustments.
F1 drivers really have the power in their hands
Ben Sulayem might think that he and his companions at the FIA hold power and can impose their vision and thinking on F1 drivers. If that is the case, they are sorely mistaken. The FIA is more than dependent on Formula 1, the world's premier motorsport class. Should F1 drivers turn against the FIA, it could create extremely embarrassing situations for the federation. Imagine if, out of lingering dissatisfaction with Ben Sulayem at the end of the season, the drivers ignore the traditional FIA awards gala in Rwanda. The trophies will be there while no driver steps onto the stage.
Drivers can target Ben Sulayem in more ways. The Emirati is, therefore, wise to take on board the drivers' frustrations. The fact he has one more chance to do so is more than clear with the F1 drivers' adamant statement. It is up to Ben Sulayem to run the gauntlet and accommodate the drivers. After all, he should not be waiting for a war with the FIA's cash cows at all.
This article has been created in collaboration with Matt Gretton