FIA President Faces Allegations of Race Result Interference in Saudi Arabian and Las Vegas Grands Prix

The FIA Formula 1 governing body has responded to allegations against its president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem regarding interference in the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The BBC reported that Ben Sulayem allegedly tried to overturn Fernando Alonso’s penalty in Saudi Arabia to keep him on the podium. A whistleblower claimed that Ben Sulayem instructed officials not to certify the Las Vegas GP circuit citing safety concerns.

The FIA confirmed the existence of a report on potential allegations and stated that due process is being followed. Alonso’s penalty in Saudi Arabia was eventually overturned. The report on the Las Vegas GP alleges that someone instructed to find concerns to prevent circuit certification, artificially identifying issues to withhold the license. Despite the allegations, the Las Vegas GP proceeded as scheduled with the first day of running affected by a loose drain hole cover.