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Arabian Business
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Arabian Business
Mohammed Ben Sulayem announces bid for second term as FIA President
Mohammed Ben Sulayem will stand for a second four-year term as FIA president in December, saying he would welcome any rival candidate and that he is on a mission to grow motorsport and make Formula One's governing body stronger. Speaking to Reuters at the Monaco Grand Prix, the Emirati said he had taken the decision, which was widely assumed, after conferring with members of the International Automobile Federation. 'I feel having three years in a complex federation like the FIA is not enough,' the 63-year-old former rally driver explained, stating his re-election bid openly for the first time. He said he was proud of what had been achieved under his mandate and saw no reason to do anything differently the second time around. 'Do I need more time? Yes. Has it been easy? Never. Has it been enjoyable? Sometimes. 'So, I am going (to stand). I consulted with most of the members. I speak to them.' The Emirati said he wanted to 'keep growing motorsport. To make the FIA stronger and stronger. This is my ambition, and that's what I will do.' He suggested the FIA, which ultimately owns the Formula One championship although the long-term commercial rights are held by Liberty Media, had been 'neglected'. 'Raw deals have been given to the FIA. It doesn't make sense to me that one (Formula One) driver and one team principal make more money than all of the FIA, and the FIA owns the championship. Is that fair?,' he said. Ben Sulayem's first term has been marked by controversy since he was elected in 2021 as successor to former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt. There have been battles with Liberty Media over commercial matters and accusations of sexism, and he has angered drivers in both rallying and Formula One by clamping down on swearing with heavy fines. Senior staff have left the FIA, leading to reports of an exodus, and there have been questions raised about statute changes that critics say will limit the powers of audit and ethics committees. On the plus side, . A new 'Concorde Agreement' between all Formula One stakeholders is being negotiated, and both the FIA and Liberty Media say talks are going well. th team in 2026 after FIA backing in the face of initial F1 resistance.
The Herald
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Herald
African F1 race return still looks a long way off, says Domenicali
Formula One still hopes to return to Africa and is talking to three possible venues, CEO Stefano Domenicali said on Saturday, but any race deal looks a long way off. The continent is the major omission on a record 24-race calendar and last hosted a grand prix at South Africa's Kyalami circuit in 1993. The Liberty Media-owned sport is keen to rectify that but wants a stable venue that can become a fixture for the long-term. Financial issues have also been an obstacle in the past. 'We cannot go to a new place ... without staying for a long time,' Domenicali said at a Monaco Grand Prix media event to announce a partnership extension to 2030 with the MSC Cruise Division. 'We are progressing our discussion with I would say three places in Africa. Realistically speaking, I don't think we're going to have an outcome in the very short term,' added the Italian, speaking on board the cruise ship Explora II in the Monte Carlo harbour. He did not name any cities or circuits. Rwanda and South Africa are the two main candidates, with Kyalami and Cape Town put forward as possibilities for the latter. Rwandan President Paul Kagame announced his country's bid last December, when Formula One's governing body held its gala awards ceremony in Kigali, but that has been complicated by fighting in eastern Congo involving Rwandan-backed M234 rebels. The Democratic Republic of Congo urged Formula One in February to end talks with Rwanda. Domenicali said Formula One remained committed to adding Africa to what is already a crowded schedule with more countries seeking to join. 'We are missing one continent and we want to connect also to that,' he said. 'It's a matter of finding the right plan and hopefully we are going to update you soon on that project.'
The South African
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The South African
F1 boss questions ‘long-term sustainability' of South African GP
The return of a South African GP has been top of mind for F1 bosses for some time now. For Liberty Media, under F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali's reign, the goal was to have every continent represented on the F1 calendar. As such, the only continent missing from the current world championship is Africa. However, of the three separate projects brewing – including a South African GP in either Kyalami or Cape Town, and a Rwandan race – 'progress has slowed.' This is the viewpoint of the F1 supremo, speaking this past weekend in Monaco. Insiders say Kyalami is still in pole position for a South African GP bid. Image: File 'Negotiations are ongoing, we are gradually moving forward and working together to find the best solution. However, when a new opportunity arises, it is important to make sure that it has long-term prospects. We cannot go to a new place once or twice, without a guarantee that we will stay there for a long time,' Domenicali said. 'Of the three venues, I do not expect any decisions in the short term. As you know, we are really interested in holding a GP on the African continent but, for now, we're trying to find the right plan. Hopefully we will be able to tell you more about this project soon,' said the Italian. Since a formal South African GP bid went ahead with government backing, things have taken a turn for the worse. International relations with the United States are at an all-time low. And US President Donald Trump's proposed trade tariffs could impact an international business like F1. Moreover, rebel fighting in central Africa represents an entirely new and unwanted type of trouble for Formula One organisers on the continent. As such, trouble in Africa could be music to the ears of race organisers in Europe ready to pick up the pieces. Madrid is taking over the official title of Spanish GP title from 2026, with this week's race being the last year of the Circuit de Catalunya's existing contract. Senna, Prost and Schumacher battle in the 1993 South African GP. Image: File At the centre of negotiations for a new deal is Miquel Samper, who doubles as President of the Barcelona circuit. 'Negotiations are going very well, moving forward. That's the reality, but it also means absolutely nothing. This type of negotiation, with so many circuits currently wanting to host a grand prix, forces us to be very discreet. Like when we were able to close the agreement with MotoGP and Dorna,' concluded Samper. – with GMM Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Hindu
F1 — Ben Sulayem declares bid for second term as FIA president
Mohammed Ben Sulayem will stand for a second four-year term as FIA president in December, saying he would welcome any rival candidate and that he is on a mission to grow motorsport and make Formula One's governing body stronger. Speaking to Reuters at the Monaco Grand Prix, the Emirati said he had taken the decision, which was widely assumed, after conferring with members of the International Automobile Federation. 'I feel having three years in a complex federation like the FIA is not enough,' the 63-year-old former rally driver explained, stating his re-election bid openly for the first time. He said he was proud of what had been achieved under his mandate and saw no reason to do anything differently second time around. 'Do I need more time? Yes. Has it been easy? Never. Has it been enjoyable? Sometimes. 'So, I am going (to stand). I consulted with most of the members. I speak to them.' The Emirati said he wanted to 'keep growing motorsport. To make the FIA stronger and stronger. This is my ambition and that's what I will do.'. ALSO READ: Monaco GP qualifying — Norris puts McLaren on pole; Hamilton and Verstappen in fourth, fifth He suggested the FIA, which ultimately owns the Formula One championship although the long-term commercial rights are held by Liberty Media, had been 'neglected'. 'Raw deals have been given to the FIA. It doesn't make sense to me that one (Formula One) driver and one team principal make more money than all of the FIA, and the FIA owns the championship. Is that fair?,' he said. Ben Sulayem's first term has been marked by controversy since he was elected in 2021 as successor to former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt. There have been battles with Liberty Media over commercial matters and accusations of sexism, and he has angered drivers in both rallying and Formula One by clamping down on swearing with heavy fines. Senior staff have left the FIA, leading to reports of an exodus, and there have been questions raised about statute changes that critics say will limit the powers of audit and ethics committees. FIA PROFIT On the plus side, the FIA last week reported a 4.7 million euro ($5.34 million) profit after reporting a loss of 24 million euros in 2021. A new 'Concorde Agreement' between all Formula One stakeholders is being negotiated and both the FIA and Liberty Media say talks are going well. Former FIA secretary general for motorsport Shaila-Ann Rao, one of the high-profile departees, has returned as an advisor to the president, and Cadillac will join as an 11th team in 2026 after FIA backing in the face of initial F1 resistance. ALSO READ: Monaco Grand Prix — Bearman handed 10-place grid penalty 'I cleaned up the FIA house,' said Ben Sulayem, who recognised there were enemies who wanted him out but said that was of no concern. 'Honest people are there. My back is not anymore with knives in it. 'All of this negativity; 'Oh, he's unpredictable, he's very controversial'. I am the last one who cares what they (the critics and media) do, what they say. To me it is always about the (FIA) members. 'But I am more than happy. Maybe I am doing something that irritates them.' No rival candidate has committed to standing against the Emirati, although twice world rally champion Carlos Sainz -- father of the Formula One driver and namesake -- is considering doing so. Ben Sulayem said he would be happy for Sainz to stand and it would be for others to decide on any potential conflict of interest. 'Let him stand. That is democracy,' he said.
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Motor racing-Ben Sulayem declares bid for second term as FIA president
MONACO - Mohammed Ben Sulayem will stand for a second four-year term as FIA president in December, saying he would welcome any rival candidate and that he is on a mission to grow motorsport and make Formula One's governing body stronger. Speaking to Reuters at the Monaco Grand Prix, the Emirati said he had taken the decision, which was widely assumed, after conferring with members of the International Automobile Federation. "I feel having three years in a complex federation like the FIA is not enough," the 63-year-old former rally driver explained, stating his re-election bid openly for the first time. He said he was proud of what had been achieved under his mandate and saw no reason to do anything differently second time around. "Do I need more time? Yes. Has it been easy? Never. Has it been enjoyable? Sometimes. "So, I am going (to stand). I consulted with most of the members. I speak to them." The Emirati said he wanted to "keep growing motorsport. To make the FIA stronger and stronger. This is my ambition and that's what I will do.". He suggested the FIA, which ultimately owns the Formula One championship although the long-term commercial rights are held by Liberty Media, had been "neglected". "Raw deals have been given to the FIA. It doesn't make sense to me that one (Formula One) driver and one team principal make more money than all of the FIA, and the FIA owns the championship. Is that fair?," he said. Ben Sulayem's first term has been marked by controversy since he was elected in 2021 as successor to former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt. There have been battles with Liberty Media over commercial matters and accusations of sexism, and he has angered drivers in both rallying and Formula One by clamping down on swearing with heavy fines. Senior staff have left the FIA, leading to reports of an exodus, and there have been questions raised about statute changes that critics say will limit the powers of audit and ethics committees. FIA PROFIT On the plus side, the FIA last week reported a 4.7 million euro ($5.34 million) profit after reporting a loss of 24 million euros in 2021. A new "Concorde Agreement" between all Formula One stakeholders is being negotiated and both the FIA and Liberty Media say talks are going well. Former FIA secretary general for motorsport Shaila-Ann Rao, one of the high-profile departees, has returned as an advisor to the president, and Cadillac will join as an 11th team in 2026 after FIA backing in the face of initial F1 resistance. "I cleaned up the FIA house," said Ben Sulayem, who recognised there were enemies who wanted him out but said that was of no concern. "Honest people are there. My back is not anymore with knives in it. "All of this negativity; 'Oh, he's unpredictable, he's very controversial'. I am the last one who cares what they (the critics and media) do, what they say. To me it is always about the (FIA) members. "But I am more than happy. Maybe I am doing something that irritates them." No rival candidate has committed to standing against the Emirati, although twice world rally champion Carlos Sainz -- father of the Formula One driver and namesake -- is considering doing so. Ben Sulayem said he would be happy for Sainz to stand and it would be for others to decide on any potential conflict of interest. "Let him stand. That is democracy," he said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
