Ben Sulayem, the president of the FIA, is facing mounting criticism from top drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell after controversial changes to Appendix B – a regulation regarding drivers’ behavior and language.
In a recent press conference, Hamilton and Russell openly questioned whether the promised changes would ever be implemented, accusing the FIA of empty words with no real action.
“We want to see action, not just words,” Russell said bluntly, emphasizing that the FIA has repeatedly promised reforms but failed to deliver, especially when it comes to giving drivers a voice in key decisions.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton echoed that frustration: “We don’t have a seat at the power table, and that needs to change. People making decisions for others who’ve never been in that position.”
These strong statements add more pressure on Ben Sulayem, who is preparing to defend his presidency at the end of the year. But discontent is not just coming from drivers. High-ranking FIA figures like Robert Reid and David Richards have resigned, citing a lack of transparency under Sulayem’s leadership.
Former race director Tim Mayer also criticized Sulayem’s “dictatorial” leadership style, suggesting anyone who disagrees with him faces direct or indirect pressure. Mayer revealed Sulayem personally pushed for punishing drivers for profanity – a rule many find overly strict and unnecessary.
With rising opposition both inside and outside the FIA, rumors are swirling about Sulayem’s possible replacement. One name being floated is Susie Wolff, a respected former driver and leader in F1 Academy. However, she’s publicly denied any ambition to run, despite having been targeted by a controversial FIA investigation against her and her husband Toto Wolff.
As the FIA faces growing turmoil, the question remains: can Sulayem survive this storm, or will a new leader emerge to usher in a more open and collaborative era for Formula 1?
The power struggle between the FIA and F1 drivers is far from over. And fans are left wondering – who will come out on top in this battle off the track?
