FIA chief Ben Sulayem backed by American bodies over grand prix controversies

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. (FIA)
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Updated 05 April 2024
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FIA chief Ben Sulayem backed by American bodies over grand prix controversies

  • Report absolves president after accusations of race interference in Saudi Arabia, Las Vegas

The President of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile Mohammed Ben Sulayem has received an official letter signed by 34 heads of the FIA Member Clubs and Sport Federations of America, expressing their full support following accusations he interfered with proceedings related to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the Las Vegas Grand Prix last year.

After a thorough internal investigation led by external and independent members and a series of interviews with over 10 witnesses, the FIA Ethics Committee published a report absolving Ben Sulayem of any wrongdoing.

“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 report stated.

Committee members also commended Ben Sulayem’s transparency and compliance during the investigation, leading to his exoneration after no evidence was found to substantiate the allegations. 

In a previous statement to member clubs, Ben Sulayem highlighted that the unfounded allegations were meant as an attack against the FIA’s leadership.

Theodora 34 heads of the FIA Member Clubs and Sport Federations of America declared unwavering support for Ben Sulayem, who “acted honorably” according to their letter, published on the FIA website.

The letter’s signatories also accused biased media of spreading incorrect information to taint the president’s reputation. They also asked relevant authorities to take necessary legal action against the parties who made the allegations, accusing them of slander.

“We endorse and ratify our vote of confidence in support of Mr. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, for his stewardship of the FIA and his progress to fulfilling his commitment to transform the FIA in an ethical and transparent manner in order to better serve its members,” the statement said.


Sweden’s Ekstrom takes Dakar stage seven win in Saudi Arabia

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Sweden’s Ekstrom takes Dakar stage seven win in Saudi Arabia

  • Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah stays top in the car category

WADI AL-DAWASI: Mattias Ekstrom won stage seven of the Dakar Rally on Sunday as the field started the second week in Saudi Arabia with late drama for Toyota’s Henk Lategan while Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah stayed top in the car category.

South African Lategan had looked like taking the stage and overall lead but let both slip through his fingers after the day’s final checkpoint.

Instead, Sweden’s Ekstrom, winner of the prologue in a Ford Raptor, became ‌the first ‌driver in the top car ‌category to take more ‌than one stage this year.

Lategan had led Ekstrom after 417 of 459km from Riyadh to Wadi Al-Dawasir, but finished eight minutes and 35 seconds behind the winner after having to stop for 10 minutes at the 428km mark.

Ekstrom moved up to second overall, four minutes and 47 seconds behind Dacia Sandriders’ five-times Dakar ‌winner Al-Attiyah with Lategan third.

Spaniard Nani ‍Roma was fourth for ‍Ford after being reinstated by stewards late on ‍Saturday’s rest day as winner of stage five and having a one minute and 10 second penalty rescinded.

In the motorcycle category, Australian Daniel Sanders extended his lead over American rival Ricky Brabec to four minutes and 25 seconds with Argentine rider Luciano Benavides a further 15 seconds adrift.

Sanders had been a mere 45 seconds clear after Friday’s sixth stage but Honda’s Brabec finished the 459km stage 10th to the Australian’s fourth.

Argentine Benavides won the stage, his second triumph of the event, in a one-two for the Red Bull KTM factory team with Spaniard Edgar Canet, while Honda’s French challenger Adrien Van Beveren was third.

Monday’s 481km stage eight is the longest of ‌the race with riders and drivers navigating canyons and dunes around Wadi Ad Dawasir.