Ecclestone defends embattled FIA president

Jan.18 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has chimed in with assist for the embattled president of System 1’s governing physique.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who grew to become head of the FIA simply previous to the 2022 season, believes he’s being “attacked” by unnamed members of the F1 circus.

He implies that Liberty Media, the industrial proprietor of F1, is positioning to go it alone with out the FIA’s regulatory involvement.

“Do they actually suppose massive producers would make their very own championship that doesn’t have a regulator?” Ben Sulayem instructed motorsport-magazin.com. “Do they need to be one other WWF?

“No, it’s about having clear guidelines. We are able to have a present, however with authorities – a present with guidelines.”

Ben Sulayem has confronted accusations of sexism and bullying, and he’s additionally on the centre of a brand new storm involving the aborted investigation into Toto and Susie Wolff.

However Ecclestone, who headed F1’s industrial rights holder previous to the Liberty period, defended the present FIA president.

“He simply does issues in another way than they have been completed earlier than,” the 93-year-old instructed the German journal Sport Bild. “He additionally does issues in another way than I’d do them.

“However in my eyes, he is an easy man who tries to do the most effective for the game. His dangerous fame comes from folks not understanding him,” Ecclestone added.

“He’s simply studying that the individuals who lead a group on this sport are totally different to what he thought they have been.”

For his half, in the meantime, Ben Sulayem insists he can deal with the warmth of the kitchen.

“We have to perceive who I characterize,” he mentioned. “And we aren’t a service supplier. I characterize the top of the home.

“However, such as you mentioned, friction is usually wholesome to convey out the most effective. It’s like together with your physique,” the FIA boss added. “In case you get up within the morning with ache, then not less than you understand that one thing is improper.”