Ben Sulayem confronts Russell: "Very nice talk but who pays for it?"

14:18, 13 Dec 2024
7 Comments
Relationship between some F1 drivers and FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem seems to be somewhat tense with George Russell issuing fierce criticism of the FIA's behaviour recently. One of the main topics of discussion in recent times has been the FIA Stewards' consistentcy, or lack thereof, when it comes to judging incidents on track. This could be addressed by having permanent Stewards, but to do that, they would have to be paid a salary. Ben Sulayem then wonders, "Who's going to pay for that?"

"Do I ask where the F1 drivers spend their money?"

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Ben Sulayem said his piece on Russell's suggestion. According to the FIA president, it's a "very nice talk", but it's easier said than done. "But when they say professional, and they want professional, they don't want to pay for it. That is so obvious."
"They talk and then they say: ‘Where are you putting the money? Why we don't do this?’ But I don't say, ‘Oh, sorry, what about you?’ The drivers are getting over $100million. Do I ask where they spend it? No, it's up to them. It's their right," the FIA president added.
He later stated that the way the FIA uses their resources it's the governing body's "business." "So please, it’s not only me saying it is none of their business. We do whatever we do with our money. It's our business. It's also [the same] with them and their money. It's their business."

Can the FIA afford to pay Stewards?

One of the issues, Ben Sulayem points out, is that it is not simply a matter of finding Stewards, since "they don't grow on trees", revealing that the FIA have a Steward formation programme. "I say it again and again - stewards do not grow on trees. It takes time to educate them. It takes time to train them. And then you evolve them, so we have a programme."
However, the President does see the benefit in having permanent race overseeing officals, but claims that the governing body doesn't have the resources to make it happen. “I see the point about having them maybe like the Premier League where they [the referees] are paid. But we don't have the money to do that," Ben Sulayem concluded.
This article has been made with the assistance of Jeroen Immink
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7 Comments
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kingpeppermint 14 December 2024 at 12:07+ 4529

How all the drivers spend their money is indeed no-ones bussiness except for the drivers and possibly the taxman. However we are not talking about Ben's personal money, we talking about the FIA which is an cooperate entity and thus has an whole different approach, in addition Russell was asking where the money was because there is an specific mention* that says money off fines will be invested back into F1.(i don't remember if it was even in an contract somewhere, so i kept it vague with mention for that reason)
Russell is in this case just asking for clarity all big UK companies are forced to provide anyone can go to companieshouse.gov.uk and lookup bussiness information.
That the FIA doesn't have the money is off course nonsense, and if he really wants us to believe that just show the books, maybe they spend 400k on catering?

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Mech Engineer 14 December 2024 at 02:08+ 55533

In a sport where everything is mentioned in Millions of $$, where even a new rookie driver is paid $1 Million per year, is it so difficult to find a Few Hundred Thousand $$ to be set aside to hire 4 full time race stewards to work 24 weekends per year?
The FIA can just charge that amount to Liberty Media as a "Fee", and the balance can then be divided to the teams as their share of their constructors pool money.
The small amount as a percentage of tjhe total prize money is so little that it will hardly be noticible at all by any teams!

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F1Nut 13 December 2024 at 18:21+ 2905

I think this will be one topic where everyone will be in agreement. Another one who's only interest is himself. Supposed to be the pinnacle of motorsport? My a**

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Ludizapoli 13 December 2024 at 15:43+ 7294

This Sulayem is getting more and more stupid.

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Carnivore Crusader 33-4x 13 December 2024 at 15:25+ 2601

Cute, MBS thinks he owns F1 and the teams/drivers, but he is just an employee exploiting the business.

Rob01 13 December 2024 at 15:22+ 6151

Poor mouthing it. His greed for more F1 money is painfully obvious. Let's open up the books and see where the money is spent at the FIA. His recent efforts which appear to be moving forward will allow him to move with out oversight. Just the way he wants it. He is bad news for motorsports in general and should not be reelected.

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Mavric 13 December 2024 at 15:18+ 19033

Well the fia shoild be abale to afford to pay full time stewards .the fines teams pay the fia and drivers superlicence money as well .and wear dose the mony go when countrys pay to have there race tarck to be in f1