Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been acquitted. © ANSA / epa

Formula 1 affair: head of the association acquitted

In the affair surrounding the alleged influencing of a Formula 1 race, World Federation President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been acquitted of the allegations by the FIA ​​Ethics Committee.

March 20, 2024

From: dpa

The allegations that the top official had improperly intervened in the testing process for the new racetrack in Las Vegas were also dismissed as unfounded after a 30-day investigation. The International Automobile Association FIA announced this on Wednesday.

The investigation was triggered by information from informants who accused Ben Sulayem of several violations in office. The FIA ​​boss then arranged for a time penalty against Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso to be withdrawn at the Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia last year. Therefore, the Spaniard was able to keep his third place despite the original decision of the race stewards.

Serious allegations

In addition, the 62-year-old from Dubai is said to have demanded in the preseason that the new race track in Las Vegas be denied approval by the world association. According to media reports, there were no real safety concerns and the reasons for a racing ban could have been invented. However, the FIA ​​inspectors could not provide any plausible reasons and therefore certified the route.

After hearing eleven witnesses and an independent review of the events, the FIA ​​ethicists came to the conclusion that there was no evidence of wrongdoing by Ben Sulayem. There is strong evidence that supports this finding beyond a reasonable doubt, the statement said. The ethics committee's decision was unanimous. Ben Sulayem had cooperated fully with internal investigators, it said.