"For Christ’s sake, get a grip of what’s going on in FIA": Michael Schumacher's former boss slams governing body president after Qatar GP controversy

Eddie Jordan, former team boss of legend Michael Schumacher, has lashed out at the FIA over chaotic decisions during the Qatar Grand Prix 2024. In his podcast with David Coulthard, the ex-team owner said that Mohammed Ben Sulayem needs to take stock of the FIA's work ethics and ensure transparency and consistency.

The Qatar Grand Prix turned out to be an eventful race in the second half after a broken mirror was left to wander in the middle of the track for multiple laps. It was only after Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz sustained damage that FIA stewards deployed a safety car.

In yet another controversial decision, Lando Norris, fighting for McLaren's constructors championship, was given a ten-second stop-and-go penalty for failing to slow down under a yellow flag.

With FIA under scrutiny over his controversial decisions throughout the season, Michael Schumacher’s former team boss, Eddie Jordan, shared his harsh take on the Formula For Success podcast. He urged FIA boss Mohammed Ben Sulayem to introspect on stewards' standards (as quoted by PlanetF1):

“What is going on with the FIA?. Look, I reach out to you, I actually really do like you, Mohammed, I’ve known you 35 years. For Christ’s sake, get a grip of what’s going on in the FIA. Yes, I may get banned from going to the Grand Prixs. I don’t care. I just do not see that the FIA is behaving properly, the stewards are behaving properly. It was wrong," Eddie Jordan said.

The ex-confidant of Michael Schumacher, Jordan also called out the penalty against Norris, saying the latter wasn't allowed an opportunity to share his side of the story.

FIA made significant changes in the steward team mid-season. Race director Niels Wittich was sacked abruptly, and Rui Marques was named immediate replacement. In addition, senior steward Tim Mayer was also shown exit doors as Sulayem enforced a major overhaul.

“Every person in that team, in McLaren, should feel aggrieved, and the reason being that, they have, on many occasions, said, ‘We’ll investigate after the race’. Isn’t that what happens? Many times? Did they do that? No, they didn’t apply that," he added.

Eddie Jordan, who gave Michael Schumacher a platform to debut in his F1 team decades ago, recently revealed that he is suffering from an aggressive form of cancer.

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Michael Schumacher's ex-boss accused the FIA of sabotaging Max Verstappen

F1 Grand Prix of Brazil - (Image Source: Getty)

Michael Schumacher's former team boss, Eddie Jordan, accused the FIA of purposely sabotaging Max Verstappen's championship bid in Brazil. In the qualifying session, the Red Bull ace was out in Q2 after a red flag hampered his final lap. Moreover, with a grid penalty in place, the Dutchman had to start his race from P17.

Reacting to the same in his Formula for Success podcast in November, Eddie Jordan claimed that the FIA is biased towards Lando Norris to aid his championship campaign.

"Are you telling me that Max was dealt a fair deal? Was he dealt a fair deal when the red flag came out six cars and seven cars later? They want Lando to win this Championship. But he’s not going to, because Max has outfoxed him. That’s it. The red flag was wrong! It was a mistake," said Jordan (via Planet F1).

However, the ex-team owner added that FIA's tricks won't work as Verstappen will end up beating Norris in the championship race. Interestingly, Max Verstappen ended up winning the race from P17, whereas Lando Norris settled for P6.