Exclusive: Ben Sulayem claims British media bias “convicted me”

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem claims that he has not been handled pretty by the British media throughout his tenure.

Ben Sulayem’s feedback relating to the media within the UK comes within the wake of Adrian Newey’s look on the Excessive Efficiency podcast, wherein he talked about his causes for leaving Red Bull to join Aston Martin.

The designer remarked that each Max Verstappen and ex-Crimson Bull driver Sebastian Vettel have been unfairly handled by the British media, stating “there’s this kind of demonisation, each of them suffered at occasions, which may be very unfair”.

In an unique interview with Autosport, Ben Sulayem agreed with Newey’s remarks and provided his personal opinion on the position the media play in motorsport.

“I respect Max [Verstappen] as a result of I am a driver. I used to be a champion and I respect winners and champions,” he mentioned.

“I see he had his share [of mistreatment], however let’s speak about me. If you happen to take a look at the British media and what they did to me… For God’s sake, they convicted me.

“They did not accuse me [of anything], however they carry on [going]. And do I care? No. Why? As a result of what are they after? They’re after promoting and getting extra protection for them[selves]. In fact, sure.

“However they haven’t any energy over me and over the FIA.

“With due respect to the British media or another media, they do not have a vote. We’re an impartial, democratic federation. It is the world of membership that elected me. The ability is with the Common Meeting, not with them.

“And you already know what? Can we simply cease this nonsense and return to enterprise and do what is healthier for the game? If you happen to can? I am asking. In the event that they [the media] don’t need to do this, it’s as much as them.

“However life goes on. You recognize what they did to me? They made me stronger. I am extra cautious now and extra sensible.

“And I’ve the assist [of the member clubs]. And if and when the members determine that it’s time to alter me as president, it is their name.

“On the finish of the day, who put me there? It is the Common Meeting, it is the members. I am very, very clear with this. And if they do not prefer it, it is as much as them.”

“However I do not return to anybody, I do not reply very a lot of you [members of the media] and I do not retaliate. Why? As a result of I haven’t got the time. I am so busy answering what the members need and what motorsport desires.”

Comfortable to have a presidential race

Ben Sulayem, who hopes to be re-elected as FIA president subsequent 12 months, is satisfied that the federation is in a greater state now than on the finish of 2021, when he assumed workplace.

“Truthfully, 100%,” Ben Sulayem mentioned. “And there are such a lot of elements [to that]. Internally, now they’re environment friendly. Issues transfer sooner in relation to supply.

“And we went again to our mission, which is to hearken to the members. If you happen to take away the members, there isn’t a FIA. Quite simple.

“The FIA is in a greater form, the FIA is more healthy. And the [F1] groups additionally want a powerful and wholesome FIA as a result of no person desires to spend [money] in a championship that isn’t ruled.”

Discussing his targets for the rest of his first time period as FIA president, he mentioned: “For this 12 months, simply to complete and ship my manifesto. And we’re heading in the right direction.

“We introduced again the FIA within the plus. And that is not by redundancy and eradicating folks, however by producing extra revenue and others being honest with us, and by repositioning and reforming the FIA and going again to our mission.

“And one different factor; if there’s anybody who desires to have a [presidential] race with me, [I would be] very happy.

“We talked about democracy. It is democracy on a regular basis, not a part of the time. So I am very happy [to take it up against somebody else].”