Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the FIA president, is currently being investigated for his alleged involvement in attempting to overturn a penalty imposed on Fernando Alonso during the previous Formula 1 season. This latest revelation adds to the ongoing controversy surrounding the sport, as shocking news continues to emerge. The BBC reports that Ben Sulayem is accused of interfering with the 2023 race and trying to reverse a penalty given to Aston Martin’s driver. While no official announcements have been made, BBC officials claim that a report was filed by an FIA compliance officer to the ethics committee, detailing Ben Sulayem’s alleged actions.
Alonso had initially received a five-second penalty for starting outside of the designated grid box. However, an additional ten-second penalty was later imposed on him after Aston Martin was found to have violated rules by working on the car. Ben Sulayem, however, reportedly urged FIA’s vice-president to have the penalty revoked, arguing that it was undeserved. The compliance officer, Paolo Basarri, revealed how the 62-year-old president intervened and manipulated the race results.
If Ben Sulayem is found guilty and the ten-second penalty is reinstated, Alonso would drop to fifth place and lose his podium finish. The penalty was initially given due to the crew lifting the car on jacks despite the previous penalty for no working on the car. However, Ben Sulayem’s alleged intervention exploited a loophole in the sporting regulations, leading to the cancellation of the penalty for the driver. The investigation into these allegations is expected to last for four to six weeks, but the races will continue regardless of the actions surrounding the FIA president.
As the 2024 Formula 1 season unfolds, shocking revelations continue to emerge. Ben Sulayem’s investigation is set to last for a few more weeks, and the racing community anxiously awaits further updates. Currently, there is limited information available regarding the status quo, as the ethics committee conducts its investigation.