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 Mohammed Ben Sulayem Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Latest News

F1 Superstars

Norris makes 'LUCK' claim following damaging Verstappen defeat

1 hour ago

Lewis Hamilton

New Hamilton TEAM SWITCH announcement rescues torrid weekend

2 hours ago

Latest F1 News

Red Bull 'call for NEW FIA investigation' into F1 rivals

3 hours ago

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Mercedes star calls for change as champion EMOTIONAL in health update

Today 11:35

F1 News & Gossip

Mercedes star calls for MAJOR F1 change

Today 10:57

Latest F1 News

Audi F1 target speaks out over 2025 signing

Today 09:57

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2024

GP ITALY 17 - 19 May

Max Verstappen

GP MONACO 24 - 26 May

GP AUSTRIA 28 - 30 Jun

George Russell

GP GREAT BRITAIN 5 - 7 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP HUNGARY 19 - 21 Jul

Oscar Piastri

GP BELGIUM 26 - 28 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP NETHERLANDS 23 - 25 Aug

Lando Norris

GP ITALY 30 Aug - 1 Sep

Charles Leclerc

GP AZERBAIJAN 13 - 15 Sep

Oscar Piastri

GP SINGAPORE 20 - 22 Sep

Lando Norris

GP USA 18 - 20 Oct

Charles Leclerc

GP MEXICO 25 - 27 Oct

GP QATAR 29 Nov - 1 Dec

GP ABU DHABI 6 - 8 Dec

Complete kalender 2024

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