FIA President Accused Of Tampering With F1 Race Result

Jarrod Partridgeon March 5, 2024

Portrait, Podium, Jeddah Corniche Circuit, GP2302a, F1, GP, Saudi Arabia Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team, provisionally 3rd position, with the trophy

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his Middle Eastern and North African vice-president asking for a penalty imposed on Aramco-sponsored Aston Martin to be withdrawn – resulting in Alonso keeping his podium place.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.