FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem told Formula 1 drivers to focus on their main jobs and that what happens within the governing body is “none of their business.”
The drivers have been asking for clarity relating to where the proceeds from their monetary fines are spent, with an extraordinary joint statement from the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA) pointing out they have been doing so for three years. A lack of response to that statement drew criticism from the drivers in Las Vegas, and after the recent departures of senior steward Tim Mayer and F2 deputy race director Janette Tan, George Russell was again frustrated in Qatar.
“It must be super challenging for everyone within the FIA right now,” Russell said on Thursday. “We’d love to get a little bit of clarity and understanding of what’s going on and who’s getting fired next.”
However, those comments have received short shrift from Ben Sulayem, who told Reuters the drivers should keep themselves out of FIA affairs.
“Do we have to tell them? When something in the teams changes, do they tell us?” Ben Sulayem said. “We have the rules, we follow our rules. We don’t follow someone else’s rule. Simple as this.
“Do we tell them how to drive? Do we tell them what to have as their strategy? It’s none of their business. Sorry… I am a driver. I respect the drivers. Let them go and concentrate on what they do best, which is race.”
Drivers’ comments have been put into greater focus by a report in The Times that claims two of the four members of the FIA’s audit committee — that scrutinizes the governing body’s finances — had their services ended after raising concerns over Ben Sulayem’s plans to give money to member clubs.
The report alleges Ben Sulayem wanted to divert his personal FIA entitlement worth $1.5 million into a new “President’s development fund” that would be distributed to clubs who will vote when he seeks re-election next year. When chairman of the committee Bertrand Badré and member Tom Purves raised the issue, it’s reported they were removed shortly after.
