Mar.5 (GMM) Yet another scandal is breaking out in Formula 1 – this time putting FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem under the spotlight.
According to leading publications including La Repubblica (Italy), L’Equipe (France) and Britain’s BBC, the 62-year-old – already the subject of earlier F1 power struggles and accusations – is accused with interfering with the work of Formula 1 stewards.
“The president is alleged to have intervened during the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP to have a penalty imposed on Fernando Alonso removed,” La Repubblica reported.
“The (FIA’s) ethics committee will rule on the case within a month and a half.”
An FIA official is said to have alleged that Ben Sulayem called his Middle Eastern and North African vice-president asking for a penalty imposed on Aramco-sponsored Aston Martin to be withdrawn – resulting in Alonso keeping his podium place.
Aramco, the Saudi state-owned oil company, is also a major sponsor of Formula 1.