FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem releases statement in bid to clarify recent comments

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has bid to clarify recent comments in which said drivers should not ‘impose their beliefs’ on fans.

The president was elected to the post in December, taking over from Jean Todt, and arrived at a time where Formula 1 was obviously still reeling from the controversy that surrounded the end of the 2021 season.

Indeed, one of his first moves as president was to remove Michael Masi from the Race Director role and to replace him with two men, Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich.

After a recent interview with Grand Prix 247, however, Ben Sulayem has unfortunately caused new controversy in appearing to suggest that drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel should not ‘impose their beliefs’ on fans, with both keen advocates for social justice and matters like women’s and LGBT rights.

Ben Sulayem was quoted as saying:

“Niki Lauda and Alain Prost only cared about driving. Now, Vettel drives a rainbow bicycle, Lewis is passionate about human rights and Norris addresses mental health. Everybody has the right to think. To me, it is about deciding whether we should impose our beliefs in something over the sport all the time.

“I am from an Arabian culture. I am international and Muslim. I do not impose my beliefs on other people? No way! Never. If you look at my operation in the UAE: 16 nationalities! Name me one federation that has that many nationalities.

“On top, there are over 34% women and 7 religions. And even more Christians than Muslims. I am proud because it creates credibility and merit.

“But do I go and pose my beliefs? No. The rules are there, even now there are issues when it comes to – for example- jewellery, I didn’t write that.”

These comments caused a stir on social media and so