P1racenews AI automatic summary:
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem is reportedly in hot water once again, this time from the governing body itself with
Fernando Alonso achieved a third-place finish at the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with controversy arising due to a penalty initially imposed for pit crew interference during a penalty service. Aston Martin successfully challenged this decision with video evidence. Recent reports from BBC Sport indicate that an FIA compliance officer’s report reveals an attempt by FIA President Ben Sulayem to influence the race outcome. Sulayem allegedly contacted the FIA Middle East Vice-President for Sport in an effort to have the decision overturned, leading to further conflict within the F1 community. The compliance report also suggests that Sulayem pressured stewards to reverse their decision, sparking backlash against his involvement in F1 affairs. These developments come amidst existing tension between Sulayem, FIA, and F1 stakeholders, as controversies over financial power, governance, and potential rule breaches continue to unfold, with implications for the organization’s tax status and regulatory practices.
