China News Service, Beijing, March 5 (Reporter Xing Rui) The new F1 season has just begun, and Mohammed bin Sulayem, chairman of the International Automobile Federation, has been deeply involved in the whirlpool of public opinion.

According to foreign media reports, Ben Sulayem is under investigation by the Ethics Committee for allegedly manipulating F1 race results.

　　The cause of the incident dates back to the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

It was reported that Ben Sulayem intervened and overturned the penalty imposed on Aston Martin Racing's Fernando Alonso.

  Screenshots from foreign media reports

Alonso regains third place after losing it

　　The F1 Saudi Grand Prix held in March last year caused a lot of controversy.

During the race, Alonso was given a 5-second penalty because his car exceeded the parking space when he entered the parking space.

Later, when the car came into the pits to receive a 5-second penalty, the team technician's jack hit the car, and Alonso was penalized for another 10 seconds.

He crossed the finish line third, but was affected by a time penalty and lost third place.

　　After the race, Aston Martin Racing disputed the 10-second time penalty.

After an investigation, the stewards stated that there was no agreement between the various teams and the FIA ​​on whether "the contact of the jack with the car is equivalent to work on the car."

After discussion, the event arbitration canceled the 10-second penalty imposed on Alonso, and his third place was regained.

　　Foreign media reported that an FIA official submitted a report to the ethics committee, which stated that bin Sulayem called Sheikh Al Khalifa, the FIA ​​vice president for the Middle East and North Africa region. phone call and made it clear that he believed Alonso's penalty should be withdrawn.

　　As of press time, neither Ben Sulayem nor the FIA ​​had responded to this matter.

F1 executives and people close to the FIA ​​were unwilling to comment on the matter, but they all said they had been informed of the news.

  The picture shows driver Alonso.

(Data map)

FIA president controversial

　　Ben Sulayem will take charge of the FIA ​​from December 2021.

However, since he took office, he has been involved in public controversy many times.

　　Not long ago, an F1 business magazine broke the news that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and his wife Susie were suspected of exchanging confidential information.

　　As president of the F1 Academy, Susi reports directly to F1 president Stefano Domenicali.

The magazine said some team principals had raised concerns with the FIA ​​that confidential information could be passed between Mercedes and F1 through the Wolff family.

　　According to media reports, the FIA ​​is following up on the matter under Ben Sulayem.

　　In response to related accusations, the FIA ​​issued a statement announcing that it would investigate the two men.

However, this announcement immediately caused dissatisfaction from Mercedes and other teams.

Mercedes denied all accusations, and the other nine teams jointly stated that they had not made any complaints about the matter.

　　Surprisingly, the FIA ​​withdrew its investigation into the Wolff family two days later, saying: "The FIA ​​is satisfied that the FOM (F1 Management Company) compliance management system is sound and sufficient to prevent any unintended consequences. Authorized disclosure of confidential information.”

　　Sources say the FIA ​​may face legal action over the Wolff family affair.

　　After a series of turmoil, Ben Sulayem has been questioned by many parties.

If the suspected manipulation of game results is confirmed, legal sanctions may be waiting for him.

(over)