FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayeb has told Formula 1 drivers to focus on their main tasks and said what happens within the governing body is “not their business”.
Drivers have been demanding clarity on where the proceeds of the monetary fines will be used, with the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) pointing out in a special joint statement that it has been doing so for three years. The lack of response to that statement sparked criticism from drivers in Las Vegas, while George Russell was left frustrated again in Qatar following the recent departures of chief steward Tim Mayer and F2 deputy race director Janette Tan.
“It must be very difficult for everyone within the FIA at the moment,” Russell said on Thursday. “We want to have a clearer understanding of what’s happening and who might be fired next.”
But these comments were briefly ignored by Ben Sulayem, who told Reuters drivers should stay out of FIA affairs.
“Should we tell them? Will you let us know if something changes with the team?” Ben Sulaem said. “We have rules and we follow our rules. We don’t follow other people’s rules. It’s as simple as this.
“Do you teach them how to drive? Do we tell them what they should have as a strategy? It’s not their business. sorry… I am a driver. I respect drivers. Get them out and focus on what they do best: race.”
The drivers’ comments were further brought into focus by a report in The Times, which said their services were terminated after two of the four members of the FIA’s audit committee raised concerns about Ben Sulayem’s funding plans. Member club.
The report claims Ben Sulayem wanted to divert $1.5 million of his personal FIA entitlement into a new “presidential development fund” that would be distributed to clubs that will vote for re-election next year. When committee chairman Bertrand Badré and member Tom Purves raised this issue, they were reportedly dismissed.
