FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has reported that he, along with the governing body overseeing Formula 1 that he controversially leads, are being targeted by those looking to "destabilise me."
For a while now, it's been evident that Ben Sulayem's tenure has been marked by a battle for influence involving the FIA, Formula 1's commercial managing entity Liberty Media, and various competing teams.
Recent revelations from a confidential informant accused Ben Sulayem, who is 62 and a former rally competitor, of meddling in a steward's decision during last year's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and obstructing the approval of the new race track in Las Vegas.
Following these accusations, the FIA conducted an investigation which exonerated him from any misconduct. Nonetheless, a number of Formula 1 team leaders have raised concerns over the "transparency" surrounding this investigation.
"I think we're living in 2024, not 1984, which means total transparency," stated McLaren's CEO Zak Brown in Melbourne.
In addition, Susie Wolff, the wife of Mercedes team principal and part-owner Toto Wolff, has filed a criminal legal complaint in France. This action comes in the wake of accusations from Ben Sulayem regarding the Wolffs' alleged exchange of confidential data, stemming from Susie's involvement with the F1-connected women's series, F1 Academy.
"Maybe the intention was to attack me," Toto Wolff expressed to De Telegraaf while in Melbourne, "but Susie got involved."
"Her reputation has been tarnished - something she had to fight all her life for. So she will not accept that one statement and then thousands of articles will destroy that."
Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, also voiced his opposition to Ben Sulayem in Australia, openly stating he "never has" endorsed the current president of the FIA.
In response to the unrest, Ben Sulayem has written to numerous FIA affiliates, declaring he is under attack by those attempting to "destabilise me" and cast doubt on "the integrity of our respected organisation."
He remarked that this "period of unprecedented turbulence and challenge" has "shaken the FIA."
"These events have unfolded with one clear objective - to target the very heart of our leadership and undermine the foundation of our federation," the FIA president explained.
"We know that the ultimate goal of these reprehensible acts was to target me and to weaken the very essence of the FIA," he continued. "Yet, despite these attacks aimed at my character and our organisation as a whole, we have emerged stronger and more resolute than ever."
