F1 News & Gossip

FIA president gives damning verdict after F1 Abu Dhabi controversy

Cal Gaunt Thursday 11 January 2024 08:27

FIA president gives damning verdict after F1 Abu Dhabi controversy

Mohammed Ben Sulayem has hinted that the controversial end to the 2021 F1 season made it difficult for him to enjoy being elected as FIA president.

The 2021 season's dramatic conclusion unfolded at the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen battling for the championship.

Criticism towards the FIA surged after race director Michael Masi's contentious decision to unlap only specific cars, setting the stage for Verstappen's championship win in a one-lap showdown.

Ben Sulayem then faced significant challenges upon becoming FIA president amid widespread acknowledgement of the event's issues.

Max Verstappen won his first world title under extremely controversial circumstances

Lewis Hamilton was devastated after the events in Abu Dhabi

Ben Sulayem: Let me enjoy victory first

"I will never say that everything went well in this race [GP Abu Dhabi]. I always look at areas to improve," he said.

"I thought to myself: wait a minute, let me first see what is going on. I just won the election. Let me enjoy that first!

"I hate being reactive. I always say: if you don't plan, you fail. Have a plan for everything! I was overwhelmed with problems. I wondered what was going on.

"We have a better structure with the strengthening of the department in the single-seaters, so there will be fewer problems. But drivers will always demand things."

Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton FIA Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Mohammed Ben Sulayem

Latest News

F1 Off The Track

F1 star teases driver replacement in 2025 reveal

Yesterday 22:58

F1 News & Gossip

Horner declares Hamilton relationship ‘STALE’ following split

Yesterday 18:58

F1 Social

F1 star gets NEW drive for Christmas

Yesterday 14:58

Features

The ultimate F1 Christmas gift guide: Picking the best present for every team

Yesterday 11:57

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Verstappen replacement talks emerge as SHOCK team switch revealed

Yesterday 07:57

GPFans Recap

Hamilton dealt 2025 challenge as huge Ferrari sale unveiled- GPFans F1 Recap

December 23, 2024 23:57

More news

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY