"We don’t follow someone else's rule" - Ben Sulayem hits back at George Russell & Co. for criticism over FIA operations

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been under scrutiny from F1 drivers for his controversial decisions. Now, the former rally driver from UAE has responded to criticism from the George Russell-led Grand Prix Drivers’ Association.

Before entering the administrative side of Motorsports, Ben Sulayem began his career as a Rally driver. The 14-time Middle East Rally Championship winner competed in a total of 23 rallies in the World Rally Championship. After retiring as a full-time racer in 2002, he went on to become the president of the Emirates Motorsports Organization in 2005.

He was elected as the vice president for sport and a member of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in 2008 before progressing into the role of the chairman of the new Motor Sport Development Task Force in 2013. He eventually succeeded Jean Todt in the role of FIA president in 2021. Since then, Ben Sulayem has been criticized by F1 drivers for some controversial decisions in the sport.

As a response, he spoke with Motorsport.com, expressing his views.

"None of their business. Sorry. With all respect, I am a driver. I respect the drivers. Let them go and concentrate on what they do best, which is race. But okay, you want to know how much we paid in grassroots? I'll give you: 10.3 million [euro] we invested in grassroots last year. I think that's a lot of money. In '24, up to now, over 10 million. Back in grassroots. In karting," Ben Sulayem explained.

"This is our business. We'll do whatever is good for the FIA. So it's really none of people's business to interfere in ours. It's the results that we produce. Do we have to tell them? When something in the teams changes, do they tell us? No, they don't. Nobody has to. We have the rules, we follow our rules. We don't follow someone else's rule. Simple as this," he added.

His statement was shared on X by Motorsport.com. Here's a look at the post, captioned:

"Ben Sulayem tells Formula 1 drivers it is "none of their business" how he runs the FIA"

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"Allegations against the FIA President were unsubstantiated" - FIA's Ethics Committee on clearing Mohammed Ben Sulayem of allegedly interfering in competition

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem was cleared of any wrongdoings in March this year by FIA's Ethics Committee. He was accused of allegedly interfering in two races in the 2023 season.

"Allegations against the FIA President were unsubstantiated and strong evidence beyond any reasonable doubt was presented to support the determination of the FIA Ethics Committee. The President's complete co-operation, transparency, and compliance throughout the process during this investigation was greatly appreciated," the Ethics Committee said in a press statement.

For reference, he was accused of overturning Fernando Alonso's penalty in the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and of asking officials not to certify the Las Vegas circuit last year.