Mohammed Ben Sulayem cited the examples of Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Lando Norris when saying that motor sports should not get involved in political issues
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has made controversial comments about the activism of drivers on the current Formula 1 grid. In an interview with the British website GrandPrix247, the president, who will take over the world's largest motorsport body in 2022, spoke about the involvement of politics in motorsport.
When asked what the sport should not become, Sulayem cited the examples of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, four-time champion Sebastian Vettel and Lando Norris, who constantly advocate for issues such as human rights, the environment and mental health.
"I come from a black and white world, and it's very hard to do that. When it's governance, it has to be governance, when it's neutrality, it has to be neutrality. So we are for one reason and one reason only, and that is sport. Now you have to be political sometimes, but not really be a politician. Where do you find balance? The FIA has to be careful not to get drawn into politics without forgetting our roots in motorsport," he said.
"Niki Lauda and Alain Prost only cared about driving. Now, Vettel pedals on a rainbow bike, Lewis is passionate about the issue of human rights, and Norris talks about mental health. Everyone has the right to think. For me, it's a question of whether we should impose our beliefs all the time on something other than sport," he declared.
Sulayem tried to emphasize diversity and equality in his tenure at the FIA, but cites that he does not want to impose his beliefs on top of motorsport issues, stating that rules were made to be followed.
"I come from an Arab culture: I am international and Muslim. I don't impose my beliefs on others, no way, ever. If you look at my operation in the UAE. we have [people of] 16 nationalities. Name a single federation that has that number of nationalities. Also, it's 34% women and seven religions. We still have more Christians than Muslims. I'm proud of that because it creates credibility and merit," he followed.
"But do I impose my beliefs? No. The rules exist and, even today, they are there even for issue like, for example, jewelry. I didn't write any of that," he added.