FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem expressed skepticism concerning Stefano Domenicali’s imaginative and prescient for the way forward for Components 1. In current days, the CEO of Components One Administration said that it could be essential to introduce extra Dash races into the calendar, additionally highlighting how conventional races are “too lengthy” to keep up the eye of youthful audiences, suggesting a attainable format change sooner or later.
An concept that didn’t persuade the FIA chief, who, in an interview with Viaplay, shared his issues, saying: “From a business viewpoint, I perceive his place. Stefano is an effective pal, we speak 5 instances per week, so I do know what he means. Nevertheless, I additionally take into consideration the extra workload for our workers: they already journey loads, and additional growing commitments can be extraordinarily exhausting. We additionally must ask ourselves whether or not it is a optimistic factor for the groups.”
Ben Sulayem then emphasised the necessity to discover a stability between financial and sporting points: “There are totally different pursuits at play. It’s not simply in regards to the business facet, but in addition the sporting facet. If these two components are balanced, then there’s a strong basis. However when you focus completely on one of many two, issues inevitably come up.”
Whereas Liberty Media appears inclined to take away some historic calendar stops akin to Imola, Zandvoort, and presumably Barcelona, Ben Sulayem wished to reaffirm the significance of preserving Components 1’s European roots, whereas recognizing the worth of worldwide enlargement: “I believe Africa deserves a race, however the actual query is whether or not it’s economically sustainable. We can’t overlook Europe: that is the place the game was born and the place a lot of the innovation is concentrated. Moreover, it’s a logistically accessible area.”
The FIA president additionally proudly highlighted his function in approving Cadillac’s entry into Components 1 in 2026, regardless of robust opposition from groups and Liberty. The Emir said: “I labored for 2 years to make sure their entry into this sport. At first, it felt like I had dedicated against the law. In the present day I can smile about it. I believe it’s extra essential to have extra groups than extra races. With extra groups, you additionally get a extra steady base.”
At 63 years outdated, Ben Sulayem is operating for a second time period and can face two opponents for the presidency of the Federation in December. Regardless of not having fun with widespread recognition amongst followers, who usually boo him at circuits, the president appears to strategy the scenario philosophically: “I perceive it. Have you ever ever seen a referee being applauded? It doesn’t exist in any sport. After all, the FIA will get booed. You can’t please everybody, however when you take away the race route and the stewards, chaos is assured.”
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