In a heart-pounding race that once again showcased Max Verstappen’s immense greatness and allowed Ferrari to close the gap to McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship, the FIA and its president Mohammed Ben Sulayem found themselves in the media spotlight once more in Qatar, both on and off the track. However, as often happens, social media circulates content that goes viral, such as videos recorded many months earlier.
Even before the weekend began, the Emirati stirred controversy with his remarks, responding to recent concerns raised by George Russell, who, speaking on behalf of the GPDA, had expressed doubts about the federation’s recent decisions and the increasingly frequent dismissals of high-ranking personnel.
“It’s none of their business, I’m sorry,” Mohammed Ben Sulayem snapped, almost as if to create a wall between himself and the drivers, who have grown increasingly frustrated with what can only be described as a faltering management in recent months.
“With all due respect, I’m a driver,” the FIA president later added. “I respect them. Let them focus on what they do best, which is racing.”
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The sprint weekend then continued without major hiccups, with Oscar Piastri managing to repeat his victory from twelve months earlier, thanks to a generous gesture by Lando Norris, who returned to his teammate the victory he inherited in Brazil.
In the video in question, the McLaren driver, heading towards his mechanics to celebrate the win, blatantly pushes the FIA president aside with his right arm, not even meeting his gaze. A particularly significant and symbolic gesture of tension that began well before the FIA president’s recent public appearances.
Here is the link to the video.
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