FIA’s chief Mohammed Ben Sulayem promises ‘decisive action’ for motorsport safety

DUBAI: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem says his stance on Formula 1 driver health and safety is a priority to safeguard the motorsport’s future, which he will back with “decisive action.”

From next weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, new measures will be in place to address the physical effect on drivers from the aerodynamic bouncing of F1 cars known as “porpoising.”

Ben Sulayem implemented a revised technical directive covering the measuring and monitoring of the vertical forces acting on the cars following extensive consultation with F1 teams, drivers and his own FIA technical and medical staff.

His handling of the issue has drawn approval from the international media, and follows his decision earlier in the season to enforce a long-standing rule preventing drivers from wearing jewelry when competing, to protect them in the event of a crash.

“This is not just the way forward for driver health and safety in F1, it’s the direction the FIA must take to ensure a better future for motorsport overall,” he said.

“We have a responsibility to do what is in the best interests of the sport, and I’ll work closely with all our main stakeholders to get their input on all key decisions.

“But I won’t back away from any big issues. I’ll confront them, discuss with my own team, make the right decisions and back them with decisive action.”

Ben Sulayem, who took over as FIA president last December, has an overall strategy aimed at doubling global motorsport participation within four years.

He has placed an emphasis on grassroots and regional motorsport development, as well as diversity initiatives, and is looking to ensure that FIA championships leave legacies wherever they compete.

After 100 days in office, Ben Sulayem wrote to