oxygenIn 2023, Formula 1 is an almost unremarkable event. Max Verstappen’s charge for the title is at a pace unprecedented in the sport, with confidence and dominance. However, after the final checkered flag fell, there were further signs of the unease, distrust and conflict boiling at the heart of the sport.
Two days before Christmas, news broke that Steve Nielsen, sporting director of F1’s governing body the FIA, was resigning after less than a year in the job. He was appointed in January to address lapses in the FIA’s management of race control, particularly after the controversy over the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix angered Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes team.
Nelson received a warm welcome. He is experienced and highly respected, having worked at Lotus, Tyrell, Williams and Benetton, and later at F1 owners Formula One Management (FOM).
His appointment is seen as part of FIA president Mohammed bin Sulayem’s plan to restructure and improve the governing body’s oversight of F1.Nielsen is reportedly frustrated that the FIA has not addressed the changes he feels are necessary and that he is unhappy with its direction.
Prior to his premature exit, this season saw a series of turmoil between Ben Sulayem and the FIA, as well as disagreements with commercial rights holder FOM and even at times with the team.
Nielsen’s resignation comes two weeks after Deborah Mayer, chairwoman of the FIA Women’s Commission, also resigned. Both departures followed an embarrassing year-end for the FIA. It has launched a conflict of interest investigation into Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and his wife Susie, causing alarm. Suzy is in charge of the sport’s all-female series, the F1 Academy.
Nothing came of it. Both Mercedes and Suzy Wolfe condemned the investigation, calling it an “insult”. The FOM warned against “making frivolous and serious accusations without substance”. A day later, the other nine teams each issued nearly identical statements confirming they had no complaints about the messages passed between the Wolfe family.
The FIA immediately changed its attitude and announced that it did not need to respond, but did not give a reason for launching an investigation. As it remains in the hands of lawyers representing Mercedes and Wolff, there could be repercussions.
The Observer understands the FOM is extremely concerned that the sport’s reputation is being tarnished with little or no clear evidence, and is further strained by growing tensions with the FIA.
Under the stewardship of Ben Sulayem, FOM’s trust and confidence in the FIA has been repeatedly undermined. Clash with Hamilton over drivers wearing jewelery during races; Opposition to expansion of sprint racing; Then restrictions on drivers expressing their opinions on social and political issues were condemned and had to be quickly clarified to explain that it only concerned international Areas already regulated by the FIA, such as podiums. Clumsily trying to break the butterfly on the wheel.
This year, FOM reacted strongly to Ben Sulayem’s public questioning of the commercial value of the sport, warning that he was interfering with the sport’s rights in an “unacceptable” way. In April, he faced accusations of not taking sexism within the FIA seriously, something the governing body strenuously denied. However, these claims follow quotes from his old personal website from over 20 years ago, in which he apparently stated that he “dislikes women who think they are smarter than men… because in fact, they are not”. Bin Sulayem denies misogyny and the FIA responded that his comments “do not reflect the beliefs of the FIA president” and pointed to his “strong record of promoting equality for women and sport”.
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Despite this, an insider told the Guardian at the time: “Sadly he is an open joke in the paddock.” The events of the final weeks of 2023 will not change that perception at all. The FIA has yet to make a statement about Nielsen or explain its investigation into the Wolffs.
There is a lack of transparency and trust, but unnecessary confrontation seems to have become the norm. At the end of November, Ben Sulayem said he would be happy to bring back 2021 Abu Dhabi race director Michael Masi to the FIA if the situation required it.Massi’s decision will almost certainly cost Hamilton the title, which the FIA later described my own Investigations were conducted as “bona fide” human error. Mercedes, Wolff and many fans were furious at the time and still hold Massi responsible.
The number of incidents raises questions about whether the FIA is fit to achieve its goals under current leadership, or whether the governing body is simply vacillating from pillar to post. The situation cannot be ignored. The relationship between the FIA and F1 is already on shaky ground, with each additional turmoil heightening tensions. Further dissatisfaction with the FIA will fan the political fire in the new year.
