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An inside source informed the FIA that the organization’s head, Ben Sulayem, may have played a part in changing the outcome of a race to benefit driver Fernando Alonso, reports BBC Sport. Fernando Alonso was initially dealt a 10-second penalty when his Aston Martin team breached regulations by touching the car during a separate five-second pit stop penalty. However, this penalty was later rescinded.
Paolo Basarri, the FIA compliance officer, elaborates on allegations that Ben Sulayem coerced the stewards into reversing their penalty decision, as detailed by BBC Sport. The term “pretendere” from the whistleblower’s account, which translates to requiring or expecting in English, may suggest direct intervention by the FIA president.
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According to the report, intervention details involve Ben Sulayem contacting Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the FIA’s vice president for sport for the Middle East and North Africa region, ordering the retraction of the penalty.
Senior F1 figures, having viewed Basarri’s official documentation, verified the whistleblower’s claims to BBC Sport, although they opted to stay unnamed.
Initially, the penalty pushed Alonso from the third to fourth place, elevating George Russell of Mercedes to the podium. Post-race, the penalty was rescinded amidst confusion, as it was suggested that Aston Martin had provided sufficient grounds to contest the penalty.
This incident, which occurred during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, draws further scrutiny due to the presence of Aramco, the Saudi Arabian oil colossus, as a major sponsor for both F1 and Aston Martin.
The FIA’s ethics committee is slated to release its findings on the allegations in approximately six weeks. This is not the first instance of race result alterations scandal in F1 as previous incidents have also involved Alonso and led to legal action from other drivers like Felipe Massa in the past.
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FAQ Section
- What was Fernando Alonso’s penalty at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix?
- He received a 10-second penalty because his team touched the car during a separate five-second pit stop penalty, which is against the rules.
- Who is alleged to have intervened to change the race result?
- FIA President Ben Sulayem is alleged to have intervened to change the race result in favor of Fernando Alonso.
- What does “pretendere” mean in this context?
- In the context of the whistleblower’s report, “pretendere” translates from Italian as “to require or expect,” suggesting mandatory action from the stewards.
- Did other senior figures in Formula 1 confirm the whistleblower’s claims?
- Yes, several senior figures in Formula 1 confirmed the whistleblower’s allegations to BBC Sport but requested anonymity.
- What is the significance of Aramco’s involvement?
- Aramco, a major sponsor of F1 and Aston Martin, could signify a potential conflict of interest given the financial ties to the sport and the racing team.
- Has there been past controversy regarding race result alterations in F1?
- Yes, previous controversies in F1 involving race result alterations have been noted, including one case where Felipe Massa filed a lawsuit after being affected by such an incident.
Conclusion
The recent allegations of race result interference within Formula 1 are a significant concern for the sport’s integrity. The role that FIA President Ben Sulayem allegedly played in manipulating the outcome to benefit Alonso at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix brings to light issues of governance and the influence of sponsors. As the world of Formula 1 awaits the findings from the FIA’s ethics committee, it is crucial that transparency and fairness are upheld to maintain the credibility and uphold the competitive spirit of the sport.
