And there are additional conflicts in the GP and WEC race schedules on the FIA’s calendars, which raises the question: What is the FIA doing with our motorsport? Absolutely! That is what the increasing number of races in the sport’s two most important series have done. The F1 season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix weekend begins on February 29th with FP1 on Friday. On the same day, WEC is also in action for their opening race: the Qatar 1812 KM race. This is completely absurd and irresponsible, as both F1 and WEC should have non-conflicting dates, regardless of any excuses about logistics, etc. Clashing dates like this only harm the sport, create divisions, and force fans and media to make choices. As it currently stands, F1 will overshadow anything that happens in Qatar. The WEC, with its thriving Hypercar and GT grid, deserves better – its own stage and its own dates. The second round of the WEC coincides with the Chinese Grand Prix, and the Lone Star Le Mans at Circuit of the Americas takes place on the same weekend as the Italian Grand Prix. Similarly, the 6 Hours of Fuji clashes with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, as does the 8 Hours of Bahrain with the Brazilian Grand Prix. This is comparable to hosting the Super Bowl and NBA finals on the same night, or having the Champions League football final at the same time as the Football World Cup final, Wimbledon, and the French Open on the same weekend. It’s truly ridiculous. The mainstream media in motorsport seems to be silent about this major mistake made by the FIA, whose President Mohammed Ben Sulayem must take responsibility for allowing such a blunder that affects the sport we all love. The WEC is in a better position than ever before, so why are these clashes happening? I have no idea, but I will ask some uncomfortable questions that have been forwarded to the FIA for a response. I could become confrontational and inquire about where Ben Sulayem plans to be during motorsport’s massive opening weekend at the end of this month. Will he appear unexpectedly in photos with the winners in Qatar or Bahrain? The venues are less than 100 kilometers apart by helicopter…
But I couldn’t phrase it any differently. Regardless of how you analyze it, and despite his previous decision to step away from Formula 1, the head of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) has an excessive fondness for the spotlight. Those who are familiar with the situation are aware that being the most renowned individual in the Middle East brings great satisfaction to President MBS. Titles hold great significance to him, and always have.
This brings me to the main point of this article, specifically the aforementioned Point 3: Are these clashes between Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship (WEC) intentional, or are they a result of an intense rivalry between Formula One Management (FOM) and the FIA?
I do not anticipate any response from the FIA regarding this post, or anything other than an abundance of self-centered excuses, diversionary tactics, and references to logistical challenges, religious holidays, or any other justifications. None of these explanations are acceptable, especially considering that we have nearly two months during which a round or two of the WEC could have taken place. Instead, they have chosen to squeeze both Formula 1 and the WEC into a nine-month period.
Editor Jad Mallak offered his thoughts on this debacle, stating, “If this deliberate scheduling conflict between the WEC and Formula 1 is a strategic move in the ongoing power struggle between FOM and Formula 1, following the recent rejection of Andretti Cadillac, then it is certain to have negative consequences. As a devoted Formula 1 fan who has recently started watching the WEC, if I am forced to choose what to watch on a particular weekend, Formula 1 will always be my definite choice. I believe this sentiment is shared by the majority of motorsport enthusiasts, as Formula 1 still holds significant influence as the ‘pinnacle of motorsport.’ The FIA would be undermining themselves by taking such actions, effectively harming the WEC.”
This raises concerns about the opinions expressed by Mercedes Formula 1 team principal, Toto Wolff, regarding the current leadership of the FIA, headed by Ben Sulayem. Let us wait and see what the FIA has to say…
According to the Source grandprix247.com