With the start of the 2023 season only weeks away, the relationship between Formula 1 and the FIA is showing no signs of improvement.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been slammed by Formula 1 owners Liberty Media for commenting on the value of the sport, with his comments that $20bn is an ‘inflated value’ potentially causing damage to the sport’s true value.
The FIA have also come under fire for their new rule that is set to be introduced this season, which will ban drivers from making any political, personal or religious gestures, silencing drivers such as Lewis Hamilton.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem has also expressed his support for Andretti-Cadillac’s bid to join the F1 grid, despite F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali’s refusal to destabilise the current grid.
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In the wake of all these controversies, Domenicali has urged the FIA president to stick to what he is good at, rather than getting involved in so many different issues.
“The key to success is that everyone does their job in the best way,” he told Sky Italia.
“From us to the teams and drivers but also the FIA.
“As president, Mohammed should take care of strategic things and leave everyday life to others like us.
“I hope to continue the discussions with him for the important decisions that affect our sport.”
The ban on political gestures has not gone down well with the current F1 grid, with Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, Alex Albon and Kevin Magnussen all voicing their disapproval towards the new rule.
Magnussen has even gone as far as suggesting that the ban of gestures will not stop the drivers from speaking out on important matters, with the potential punishments being far from ideal but perhaps something that the drivers may need to take on the chin.
Drivers will be allowed to make these gestures if they have been approved by the FIA however, leading Domenicali to think that nothing will really change from previous years.
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“I think it’s more a question of respect than of procedures,” he said.
“I don’t think anything will change from how we have done it in recent years.
“Nobody wants to put a gag on the drivers. I hope the FIA will share my vision.”