P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Todt hits back at Ben Sulayem’s criticisms of his FIA leadership
In 2021, Ben Sulayem took over as the president of the FIA from Todt and inherited a deficit in the organization’s budget. Sulayem revealed that there was a financial issue, which existed even before the pandemic, and he was pleased to have cleared it. He mentioned that the deficit was over $20 million and his early days as president were also occupied by a patent dispute court case involving the Halo. Todt, in response, stated that the deficit faced by the FIA in 2021 was a consequence of the Covid crisis, and he had to work hard to ensure the survival of both the governing body and F1. Todt emphasized that the overall finances of the FIA were in a better position at the end of his presidency, citing examples like FE ownership options and real estate profits. Although there was an unfinished dispute regarding the Halo trial when Todt left, he clarified that it was well-documented and presented before his departure. He also mentioned that he was not surprised by Ben Sulayem’s comments and stated that he never spoke ill of his predecessors in any of his departures.
