The FIA and Muhammad Ben Sulayem: A Formula 1 Crisis in the Making

In the world of Formula 1, the leadership of the sport is often just as scrutinized as the drivers themselves. But no one has stirred more controversy recently than the president of the FIA, Muhammad Ben Sulayem. Since taking the helm of the governing body in December 2021, Ben Sulayem has faced mounting criticism from nearly every corner of the F1 paddock. From alienating drivers to undermining the FIA’s own stewards, Ben Sulayem’s time as president has been marked by confusion, inconsistency, and drama. But how did we get here? And why has Ben Sulayem become such a divisive figure in motorsport?

Who Is Muhammad Ben Sulayem?

Before taking over as FIA president, Muhammad Ben Sulayem had a respectable career in motorsport as a rally driver. Born in the United Arab Emirates, Ben Sulayem won 14 Middle East Rally Championships between 1986 and 2002, making him one of the most successful rally drivers in the region. He even competed in some World Rally Championship (WRC) events, including Rally Finland and Rally Australia.

During his time as a competitor, Ben Sulayem was known for his approachable and fair demeanor. Fellow drivers described him as a cool and laid-back competitor, someone who could be trusted to make decisions with a sense of fairness. So, what happened when he took the reins at the FIA?

Power, as many people know, has a strange way of changing individuals. Ben Sulayem is the first non-European FIA president in the organization’s 118-year history, and you might have expected his unique background to bring a fresh perspective to Formula 1. Unfortunately, this hasn’t been the case. Instead of fostering a more inclusive and progressive environment, his leadership has created chaos, and Formula 1 is reeling from the fallout.

The Jewelry Crackdown: A Misstep From the Start

The first major controversy under Ben Sulayem’s leadership came during the 2022 Miami Grand Prix, when the FIA decided to enforce a longstanding rule banning jewelry during races. The rule had been around for years, but it had never been strictly enforced. That is, until Ben Sulayem decided to make an example of Lewis Hamilton, who had been wearing jewelry throughout his F1 career without issue.

The timing of this crackdown could not have been worse. The Miami GP was Formula 1’s big push into the American market—a glamorous, celebrity-filled event meant to showcase the sport’s “cool factor.” Rather than allow the race to proceed without incident, Ben Sulayem turned F1 into a strict and petty institution, causing an uproar over a nose ring.

Hamilton responded in classic fashion—by wearing every piece of jewelry he owned during the press conference, essentially daring the FIA to take action. The internet exploded in outrage, and fans rallied behind Hamilton. Even other drivers, such as Pierre Gasly, made jokes about getting their ears pierced just to spite the FIA.

What made this even more ridiculous was the fact that the rule was based on legitimate safety concerns regarding jewelry’s potential to conduct heat or become entangled in safety equipment. Yet, instead of having a thoughtful discussion about modern safety standards, Ben Sulayem made it all about his power play. Instead of engaging with the issue professionally, he turned it into a spectacle that made the FIA look petty, outdated, and out of touch with the sport’s needs.

Underwear Regulations: The Micromanagement Escalates

Just when it seemed like the jewelry controversy was as absurd as it could get, Ben Sulayem raised the stakes with yet another bizarre initiative: mandating specific fire-resistant underwear for drivers. Yes, you read that right—underwear.

While fireproof undergarments are essential for driver safety, the FIA began threatening penalties for drivers who failed to comply with regulations about which underwear they could wear. Worse, teams were given no warning and no approved list of suppliers, leaving drivers scrambling to find acceptable clothing. This issue became so ridiculous that Sebastian Vettel jokingly asked if the FIA would be inspecting their underwear before or after the race.

Instead of focusing on more critical matters—such as safety infrastructure and track design—Ben Sulayem was now micromanaging what drivers wore under their race suits. The entire situation raised questions about his priorities. Was he concerned about driver safety, or was this simply another exercise in control?

The Swearing Crackdown: A Hypocritical Move

One of the most baffling decisions made by Ben Sulayem came in late 2023 when he announced that swearing on team radios would no longer be tolerated. In a sport defined by passion, high-stakes decisions, and split-second reactions, Ben Sulayem seemed to forget the nature of Formula 1. The sport has always been raw and unfiltered, with moments of high emotion often leading to colorful language over team radio.

Ironically, Ben Sulayem, during his rallying days, was known for using a rather extensive vocabulary when things went wrong. Rally drivers are notorious for their creative swearing during challenging moments, yet Ben Sulayem seemed to forget his roots. Rather than embracing the emotion that makes F1 so compelling, he tried to sanitize the sport, turning it into something it was never meant to be.

Max Verstappen’s response to the idea of banning swearing was perfect: “If you don’t like it, don’t listen.” The fans overwhelmingly supported this sentiment. F1 is not golf; it’s about raw emotion, drama, and the passion that fuels the sport. By trying to censor this, Ben Sulayem proved just how out of touch he was with the core values of the sport.

The Las Vegas Disaster: A Safety Oversight

If there was ever a moment that showcased Ben Sulayem’s failure as a leader, it was the Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023. During practice, Carlos Sainz hit a loose drain cover at high speed, destroying his Ferrari and almost causing a catastrophic crash. Ben Sulayem had personally signed off on the safety inspections for the Las Vegas street circuit. When the incident occurred, rather than taking responsibility, the FIA’s response was delayed, disorganized, and unclear.

The FIA’s handling of the situation was so poor that it became a textbook case in how not to respond to a safety crisis. Instead of stepping up to address the situation with clarity, Ben Sulayem seemed more concerned with protecting the FIA’s reputation than fixing the underlying issues. It was a failure in leadership and underscored just how little Ben Sulayem truly understood the risks involved in motorsport.

The Feud with Lewis Hamilton: A Personal Vendetta

One of the most unfortunate aspects of Ben Sulayem’s presidency has been his ongoing feud with Lewis Hamilton. This started with the jewelry debacle and quickly escalated into something far more personal. When Hamilton criticized FIA decisions, Ben Sulayem didn’t respond professionally. Instead of addressing Hamilton’s concerns constructively, he made it about the driver not respecting the FIA. The situation has become a toxic personal vendetta rather than a professional difference of opinion.

Ben Sulayem’s response to Hamilton’s activism on diversity and inclusion has also been perplexing. As a Middle Eastern driver who faced his own challenges within European motorsport, one might expect him to support Hamilton’s stance. Instead, he told Hamilton to “just drive” and dismissed his concerns. This only deepened the rift between the FIA president and one of the sport’s most important figures.

The Stewarding Crisis: Consistency in Question

One of the key promises Ben Sulayem made upon becoming president was to bring consistency to the FIA’s stewarding decisions. However, what he has created is a system where penalties seem arbitrary, inconsistent, and influenced by factors other than the rules themselves.

The FIA’s decisions often raise more questions than answers, with drivers and teams alike growing frustrated by the unpredictability of penalty rulings. As a former rally steward, Ben Sulayem should have understood the importance of steward independence, yet he has repeatedly undermined this process, creating an atmosphere of chaos and confusion.

The Damage to Formula 1’s Reputation

Perhaps the most concerning aspect of Ben Sulayem’s leadership is the damage he has done to the FIA’s credibility. Under his leadership, every FIA announcement is met with skepticism, every penalty decision questioned, and every rule change viewed with suspicion. This lack of trust has weakened the sport’s governance and created an environment of chaos.

For Formula 1, this crisis of leadership could have long-term consequences. New fans may be put off by the drama, while sponsors might begin to question whether investing in F1 is still worthwhile. What was once a well-oiled machine has become a circus under Ben Sulayem’s watch.

Conclusion: Formula 1 Deserves Better

When Muhammad Ben Sulayem took over as FIA president, he promised to bring stability and professionalism to Formula 1. Instead, he has turned the sport into a playground of controversy and dysfunction. From jewelry crackdowns to micromanaging underwear choices, from undermining safety oversight to feuding with the sport’s biggest stars, his tenure has been a masterclass in how not to lead.

Formula 1 deserves better. The sport deserves a leader who understands its culture, its risks, and its unique challenges. With Ben Sulayem at the helm, Formula 1 is facing an uncertain future—one where governance is questioned, and the very essence of the sport is being lost. It’s time for a change, before the damage becomes irreversible.