After Max Verstappen's criticism, now the FIA president attacks the British media

Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion, vocally accused British media of being biased during the 2024 F1 season. To add to this narrative, FIA chief Mohammed Ben Sulayem echoed a similar sentiment by saying that the British media has been unfair towards him.

Verstappen's candid and upfront approach often landed him in trouble, especially during the 2024 season. He was punished with community service for swearing on team radio. Moreover, his on-track rivalry with championship rival Lando Norris got heated, leading to numerous penalties.

During this period, he faced criticism as many fans deemed his actions as unsportsmanlike. However, the Dutchman was largely unimpressed with the coverage from the British media and claimed that there was bias behind some of the British media's reporting about him.

Meanwhile, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has a similar point of view. During the Dakar bivouac, Sulayem called British media unfair for its unjust criticism. Talking to motorsport.com, he said:

"Three years of critics against me. Do I care? Was I elected to listen to the media? No. I like the good media, the positive media and maybe I make a mistake, and you can come and criticize me in an objective way."

"You look at some of the British media and they go against Saudi Arabia or me. But one thing I would say, go on and see the British Grand Prix. Is it the British Grand Prix? No, it is the Qatar Airways British Grand Prix. Please, you remove the budget, you remove the money."

Max Verstappen and Ben Sulayem were also at loggerheads during the 2024 season after the FIA increased scrutiny on drivers swearing on the radio. The Dutchman was one of the first drivers to receive a punishment as he was asked to do community service. The Grand Prix Drivers Association later issued a public message requesting the FIA to reconsider its decision.

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Max Verstappen defiant on his bold driving style

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris at F1 Grand Prix of Austria (Image Source: Getty)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen found himself in hot water after he received multiple penalties for racing hard against championship rival Lando Norris. However, the Dutch driver backed his bold moves, citing complete control over his actions. Via motorcyclesports, he said:

“There have been tough races, questionable moves, and moments, but I know what I’m doing. I’m in full control of what I’m executing on the track. Sometimes you need to do everything you can to win. I hate losing. I can recognize when someone does a better job, but it’s still not nice to lose."

Verstappen had to weather a hard road to claim his fourth championship title. While his season began on a high, the RB20 developed performance and reliability issues mid-season, leading to the loss of crucial points. In the end, the 27-year-old beat Norris by 63 points to successfully defend his title for the third year in a row.