Sulayem doesn't care about Verstappen and co: 'None of their business'
F1 News
Mohammed Ben Sulayem has spoken out for the first time since the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA) statement. The FIA president has told Formula 1 drivers to focus on what they are good at and that his conversations and decisions as head of the sport's governing body are none of their business.
There has been a lot of talk surrounding Ben Sulayem and the FIA after there were multiple high-level departures from the governing body. Former race director Niels Wittich left his post, and there is still no official word whether he left of his own accord or whether he was sacked. One person who was definitely sacked from his job with the FIA was former head steward Tim Mayer, with Ben Sulayem removing him from his job.
The Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) have also been critical of Ben Sulayem and his decision-making, with the majority of their issues coming from the president's crackdown on swearing in the sport which saw Max Verstappen penalised with a huge fine and community service, while Charles Leclerc also had a fine of his own.
Ben Sulayem says he will do whatever is good for the FIA
Speaking to Motorsport.com at the Qatar Grand Prix, an unwavering Ben Sulayem said that the GDPA's response to his calls were "none of their business".
"Sorry. With all respect, I am a driver. I respect the drivers. Let them go and concentrate on what they do best, which is race. This is our business. We'll do whatever is good for the FIA. So it's really none of people's business to interfere in ours. It's the results that we produce.”
The president also talked a bit about what happens to the fines that are handed out to the drivers. According to Ben Sulayem, last year, €10.3 million was invested in training novice drivers in karting. By 2024, more than €10 million will have been invested towards that goal.
“I have been elected to fix the FIA, and I am fixing it. I am very happy with our new team. Very happy.” continued Ben Sulayem while speaking about the changes made to the governing body. “You know what? I am very optimistic about the FIA. I am so happy with our position now. I can only see good things."
But does the president care about criticism? "No, big time. No. I will tell you something, what's happening. I think I live free of charge in their brains, huh… It’s a good apartment there, they give me.”
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