Latest news with #MohammedbenSulayem
Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
FIA reduces penalty for swearing after driver backlash
FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Miami Grand Prix - Miami International Autodrome, Miami, Florida, United States - May 4, 2025 FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem after the Miami Grand Prix REUTERS/Marco Bello/File Photo The maximum penalties for drivers swearing has been reduced by 50% while stewards will also be given more discretion on deciding penalties, the governing FIA said on Wednesday. Competitors in Formula One and rallying have been at loggerheads with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem over a crackdown on bad language during events. Ben Sulayem said last month that he was considering "improvements" to rules. World championship rally drivers had made a breakthrough in April when they reached a compromise to divide events into a controlled zone and an uncontrolled one, with the change now being implemented across all events sanctioned by the FIA. The FIA said the base maximum penalty has been reduced from 10,000 euros ($11,214) to 5,000 euros while stewards will have the option to fully suspend a penalty if it is the first offence by a driver or a team. Moreover, stewards will be able to differentiate between "controlled and non-controlled environments". Controlled environments include press conferences while tracks or rally stages are uncontrolled environments. "As a former rally driver, I know firsthand the range of emotions that are faced during competition," said Ben Sulayem, who is up for re-election at the end of the year. "I have led an extensive and collaborative review with contributions from across the seven FIA World Championships, FIA Member Clubs and other motor sports organisations. "The improvements the FIA has announced today to Appendix B will ensure we continue to promote the best of sportsmanship in motor sport, while also giving stewards effective guidelines to act against individuals who may bring the sport into disrepute." Appendix B covers stewards' penalty guidelines, setting out punishments for misconduct including words, deeds or writings that might have caused moral injury to the FIA or motorsport in general. Mitigating circumstances will also be considered while the abuse of officials will now result in sporting penalties instead of fines. Formula One Stewards Chair Garry Connelly said the new changes would give stewards guidance to "differentiate between on- and off-track issues". "Drivers are looked up to as role models by young fans and are rightly seen as ambassadors for the wider world of motor sport," said Ronan Morgan, president of the Drivers' Committee. "How they act really does matter but it is important to recognise that there is a difference between what is said during a race and in a press conference." Last season, Red Bull's triple world champion Max Verstappen was punished for his language in a press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix in September. Meanwhile, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was fined 10,000 euros for swearing at the Mexico City Grand Prix. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Motor racing-FIA reduces penalty for swearing after driver backlash
FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Miami Grand Prix - Miami International Autodrome, Miami, Florida, United States - May 4, 2025 FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem after the Miami Grand Prix REUTERS/Marco Bello/File Photo (Reuters) -The maximum penalties for drivers swearing has been reduced by 50% while stewards will also be given more discretion on deciding penalties, the governing FIA said on Wednesday. Competitors in Formula One and rallying have been at loggerheads with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem over a crackdown on bad language during events. Ben Sulayem said last month that he was considering "improvements" to rules. World championship rally drivers had made a breakthrough in April when they reached a compromise to divide events into a controlled zone and an uncontrolled one, with the change now being implemented across all events sanctioned by the FIA. The FIA said the base maximum penalty has been reduced from 10,000 euros ($11,214) to 5,000 euros while stewards will have the option to fully suspend a penalty if it is the first offence by a driver or a team. Moreover, stewards will be able to differentiate between "controlled and non-controlled environments". Controlled environments include press conferences while tracks or rally stages are uncontrolled environments. "As a former rally driver, I know firsthand the range of emotions that are faced during competition," said Ben Sulayem, who is up for re-election at the end of the year. "I have led an extensive and collaborative review with contributions from across the seven FIA World Championships, FIA Member Clubs and other motor sports organisations. "The improvements the FIA has announced today to Appendix B will ensure we continue to promote the best of sportsmanship in motor sport, while also giving stewards effective guidelines to act against individuals who may bring the sport into disrepute." Appendix B covers stewards' penalty guidelines, setting out punishments for misconduct including words, deeds or writings that might have caused moral injury to the FIA or motorsport in general. Mitigating circumstances will also be considered while the abuse of officials will now result in sporting penalties instead of fines. Formula One Stewards Chair Garry Connelly said the new changes would give stewards guidance to "differentiate between on- and off-track issues". "Drivers are looked up to as role models by young fans and are rightly seen as ambassadors for the wider world of motor sport," said Ronan Morgan, president of the Drivers'Committee. "How they act really does matter but it is important to recognise that there is a difference between what is said during a race and in a press conference." Last season, Red Bull's triple world champion Max Verstappen was punished for his language in a press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix in September. Meanwhile, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was fined 10,000 euros for swearing at the Mexico City Grand Prix. ($1 = 0.8917 euros) (Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru;Editing by Christian Radnedge)
Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
F1 driver's dad considering run for FIA presidency opposing Mohammed ben Sulayem
Mohammed ben Sulayem is currently unopposed in the FIA presidential election due to take place later this year, but it seems he could be challenged by a motorsport legend Carlos Sainz Snr could take on Mohammed ben Sulayem with a bid to become FIA president. The rally legend and father of Williams F1 driver Carlos Sainz Jnr is said to be considering running for the post after being approached by several figures keen to oust the incumbent leader. Ben Sulayem has not been a popular figure among many in the Formula 1 world and beyond. And he has further antagonised people this year with harsh swearing punishments which have angered drivers not just in F1 but in other FIA-sanctioned series. Several key figures have also departed the FIA, notably those who have spoken out against the president or not been a strong follower of his. That includes his deputy, Robert Reid, whose departure was announced last month. But despite his unpopularity, Ben Sulayem remains unopposed for the next FIA presidential election. It is due to take place later this year with the current president coming to the end of his four-year term, though an exact date has yet to be confirmed. According to Sainz Snr is considering running to provide an alternative candidate for those who do not want to vote for Ben Sulayem. The report quotes sources as having confirmed that key figures in motorsport are keen to back the Spanish former World Rally Champion. But it is understood that he is not likely to be the only one to run against Ben Sulayem. That is despite Susie Wolff, the managing director of F1 Academy and wife of Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, dismissing speculation that she could make a bid for the presidency. The Wolffs have an ongoing legal case against the FIA after, in 2023, the governing body announced an inquiry over a 'conflict of interest' between their roles. Two days later it was withdrawn after a remarkable show of togetherness from every team in F1, each of which issued statements denying that they had asked for sure a probe. Sainz Snr is a hugely respected figure in the motorsport world owing to his success in rallying. Aged 63, he has continued to drive at a high level and even won the prestigious Dakar Rally in 2024 at the age of 61, just one year on from breaking his back in a horrific crash at the same event. He is regularly seen in the F1 paddock to support his son, Carlos Jnr, who this year races for Williams. He had previously spent four seasons driving for Ferrari and previously represented Toro Rosso, Renault and McLaren. But it will be tough for any challenger to remove Ben Sulayem. Despite the president's unpopularity among many federations, he retains the backing of a lot of them, particularly those which do not play a big role in motorsport on the global stage. But the way FIA presidential elections work means those smaller federations have exactly the same voting power as the larger ones, such as Britain's Motorsport UK. Last year, Ben Sulayem said he would welcome a challenge from anyone who wanted to run against him.
The Guardian
29-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
FIA president tinkers with laws amid F1 driver standoff over swearing fines
The standoff between drivers and the president of Formula One's governing body over the contentious issue of swearing may have taken a step towards resolution. Ahead of this week's Miami Grand Prix, FIA leader Mohammed ben Sulayem posted on Instagram that after 'constructive feedback' from drivers across the world of motorsport he is considering making 'improvements' to the document which lays out the punishments for a range of offences ranging from physical violence to political statements and swearing. Ben Sulayem has been attempting to crack down on swearing since last year and punishments were tightened for 2025 to allow for larger fines and suspensions for drivers who swear repeatedly but from the start, his efforts attracted controversy. 'Humans make the rules and humans can improve the rules,' Ben Sulayem wrote in his post, an indication that relations are improving, on Monday. 'The principle of continuous improvement is something I have always believed in and is at the heart of all we do at the FIA,' he added. Various drivers have called for a lenient approach to swearing out of frustration over the radio during a race, if a non-English speaker uses a word without being sure of its meaning, or if drivers use an expletive to describe themselves or their own car, not other people. 'We have to differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music,' Ben Sulayem said when he announced his plans last year. 'We're not rappers, you know.' Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton said at the time that there was a 'racial element' to Ben Sulayem's comments, while Max Verstappen pointed out last year that 'in other sports you don't run around with a mic attached to you. I think a lot of people say a lot of bad things when they are full of adrenaline in other sports. It just doesn't get picked up.' Verstappen suggested it should be a problem for broadcasters, not drivers. The four-time champion said last year that TV includes drivers swearing 'probably also for entertainment purposes,' adding: 'I think it already just starts with not broadcasting it.' Whether there is significant progress will depend on the substance of any changes Ben Sulayem introduces. It appears he's focusing on how punishments work, not changing the rules themselves. There has already been one sign of a more flexible approach when Carlos Sainz wasn't fined for using an expletive in a news conference while he protested another fine for being late for a national anthem. Ben Sulayem's four years in office have been marked by repeated confrontations with drivers and senior officials. A change of course on swearing could mean less tension ahead of a potential re-election later this year.
Al Etihad
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Al Etihad
FIA President Ben Sulayem picks veteran Briton as deputy
24 Apr 2025 01:34 Abu Dhabi (Aletihad)Mohammed ben Sulayem, President of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), has nominated Malcolm Wilson, a leading figure in British motorsport, for the position of Deputy President for the announcement today, the FIA, the global governing body for motorsport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, said that FIA Members will vote on the nomination of Wilson at the Extraordinary General Assemblies and Conference in Macau in is the Managing Director of M-Sport Ltd, which has operated Ford's World Rally programme since 1997. Prior to forming M-Sport, Mr Wilson was a highly successful rally driver having won the British Rally in 1994. He is also an honorary member of the British Racing Drivers Club, and was awarded the OBE status in 2009 for his services to his leadership M-Sport has had considerable success, including winning the FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers in 2006 and 2007. In 2017 they won the Manufacturers' crown for a third time, and back-to-back Driver and Co-driver Championships in 2017 and also worked as technical partners for Bentley Motors leading the design and development of the Continental GT3 race car and in electric motor sport for Jaguar in the I‑Pace eTrophy. The Deputy President for Sport is one of the most senior elected roles at the FIA, serving on the World MotorSport Council, with a wide range of responsibilities. These include developing global motorsport policies in collaboration with FIA Commissions and national sporting authorities, and promoting safety, sustainability and innovation within the sport.
