The BBC reported that a whistleblower has made a claim regarding the approval process of the Las Vegas circuit. The claim was mentioned in a report that was seen by the BBC and submitted to an ethics committee by the FIA’s compliance officer. In response, a spokesperson for the FIA stated that the circuit approval followed FIA protocol in terms of inspection and certification, emphasizing the importance of sporting and safety aspects. The spokesperson also mentioned that there was a delay in inspecting the track due to ongoing construction works by the local organizers.
The night-time race in November, which took place in Las Vegas, was a significant event for Formula One, as it aimed to promote the sport in the crucial U.S. market where it has experienced rapid growth. According to the whistleblower, a manager allegedly acted on behalf of the FIA president and raised concerns to prevent the FIA from certifying the circuit before the race weekend. The whistleblower claimed that issues with the circuit were intentionally exaggerated, regardless of their actual existence, with the intention of withholding the license.
This allegation comes shortly after the BBC reported that Ben Sulayem, who was elected as the president of the FIA at the end of 2021, is under investigation for potential interference in the outcome of last year’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The FIA spokesperson confirmed that the matter is currently being discussed internally. Ben Sulayem’s presidency has been marked by conflicts with Formula One, which have been portrayed as a power struggle between the two entities, with financial considerations playing a significant role.
Formula One Management holds the commercial rights to the championship for a century, starting from 2001, while the FIA is responsible for enforcing rules, ensuring safety, and overseeing technical staff. A year ago, Formula One’s top lawyer sent a letter to the FIA accusing Ben Sulayem of interfering in the commercial rights in an unacceptable manner. This occurred after Ben Sulayem questioned the valuation of the sport. The disagreement between the two sides also extends to the possibility of an 11th team, with Ben Sulayem supporting the entry of a U.S.-based Andretti-Cadillac team, while Formula One has ruled it out until at least 2028.
Another point of contention arose when a compliance inquiry into Toto Wolff, the team boss of Mercedes, and his wife Susie was initiated. However, the inquiry was swiftly halted due to widespread uproar.