Toto Wolff, the Austrian team principal of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, has issued a warning to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, urging him to consider the interests of the drivers and Formula 1 as a whole. Wolff has observed the gradual transformation of Formula 1 into a ‘reality show’ due to the recent internal drama within the FIA. He therefore advises the governing body to demonstrate ‘responsibility and transparency’.
The exodus at the FIA was also in the spotlight during the chaotic Grand Prix weekend in Qatar. Several key figures, including race director Niels Wittich, have been dismissed from the governing body in recent weeks. Motorsport.com took the initiative and confronted President Mohammed Ben Sulayem with the drivers’ criticism of the internal affairs at the FIA.
“Their business is not our business,” was the clear message from Mohammed Ben Sulayem. “Sorry. With all due respect, I am a driver. I respect the drivers. Let them now focus on what they do best, racing.
“On the bright side, it could be its own reality show, what’s happening in F1 at the moment,” Mercedes team boss Wolff responds to The Telegraph regarding the statements of the FIA chairman. “I think all parties involved should keep in mind that we need to protect this holy grail of a sport. Show responsibility, accountability, and transparency. And at the moment, that’s not how it comes across.”
Lack of Rationality
Wolff does not want to interfere with the internal affairs of the FIA, but he does warn Ben Sulayem to keep the interests of the drivers in mind. “You know, I think (Ben Sulayem) can fire as many people as he wants. It’s his organization. He’s the chairman,” says the team boss. “Where it becomes important for the drivers and for all of us is: does the decision-making process improve as a result? And if the answer is yes, then this is an internal matter.”
The Austrian is concerned about how all the negativity in the media surrounding the internal issues of the FIA is affecting Formula 1 as a whole. “I think that at certain moments, when there is so much polarization and so many conflicts, rationality must prevail. And to me, it doesn’t look like that at the moment,” concludes Wolff.
