President of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has been butting heads with Formula 1 since last year. He made a lot of the Formula 1 bosses angry for disagreeing with the valuation of the sport. Earlier this year, he initiated a process to accept proposals for new teams in Formula 1. Now that Andretti, backed by General Motors, has been approved by the FIA, he has ramped up the pressure.
More Teams and Fewer Races
Formula 1 is having more and more races each year. It is clear the sport is booming. However, with 24 races on the calendar, plus an additional 6 sprint races, it’s getting too much. Max Verstappen has publicly commented on the current demands of the Formula 1 calendar. He has even hinted at walking away from the sport.
Recently, Stefano Domenicali disagreed with Max’s comments. However, Mohammed Ben Sulayem agrees with the Dutchman. He said the sport needs more teams and fewer races.
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“Begging OEMs to come in”
Mohammed Ben Sulayem believes that the FIA and Formula 1 should be begging OEMs (car manufacturers) to come to the sport. He said, “The FIA should be asking, begging, OEMs to come in. We should not just say no to them.”
“If you say what is my dream, it is to fill up the 12 (slots) and to have one U.S. team from an OEM and a PU and a driver from there driving. And then go to China maybe and ask for the same thing and do it.”
“We are the landlord”
Mohammed Ben Sulayem made a huge comment by saying the FIA are leasing the competition of Formula 1 to the commercial holders. He also said it would be tough to say no to a team like Andretti and General Motors approved by the FIA.
He said, “Saying no to a team which has been approved by the FIA, it’s very hard to say no. You can call me optimistic, I’m always optimistic. I think yes.”
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“FIA are not a service provider. We own the championship. We leased it, we are the landlord. So that has to be respected also. My intention was never to embarrass or to put someone in a corner, Liberty or FOM (Formula One Management). I am here for the spirit of the sport.”
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