After investigation

Formula 1 thriller about FIA boss: Now the verdict is in!

Mohammed Ben Sulayem (on the right next to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner)

(Bild: APA/AFP/ANDREJ ISAKOVIC)

In the affair surrounding the alleged influencing of a Formula 1 race, the FIA Ethics Commission has cleared world association president Mohammed Ben Sulayem of the accusations! 

The accusation that the top official had improperly interfered in the testing procedure of the new race track in Las Vegas was also dismissed as unfounded after a 30-day investigation. This was announced by the International Automobile Federation FIA on Wednesday.

The investigation was triggered by information from whistleblowers who accused Ben Sulayem of several violations in office. According to this, the FIA boss had arranged for a time penalty against Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso to be revoked at last year's Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia. As a result, the Spaniard was able to keep his third place after all, contrary to the original decision of the race stewards.

Unanimous decision by the ethics committee
In addition, the 62-year-old from Dubai allegedly demanded that the new race track in Las Vegas be denied approval by the world governing body during the pre-season. According to media reports, this was not due to genuine safety concerns and the reasons for a racing ban could have been invented. However, the FIA inspectors were unable to provide any plausible reasons and therefore certified the track.

After hearing eleven witnesses and an independent examination of the events, the FIA ethicists came to the conclusion that Ben Sulayem could not be proven to have acted improperly. There was strong evidence that would prove this finding beyond doubt, the statement said. The decision of the ethics committee was unanimous. Ben Sulayem had cooperated fully with the internal investigators, it said.