Formula 1: Günther Steiner says FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem is “too involved” in everyday F1 | F1 news

Former Haas team boss Günther Steiner believes that FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem is interfering “too much” in the sport after the Max Verstappen curse saga.

After Ben Sulayem suggested in an interview published ahead of last month's Singapore GP that he wanted to see fewer swear word messages – which are bleeped out – on the global F1 TV feed and that drivers also had a responsibility to pay attention, what they said and when In the car, world champion Verstappen was punished for swearing in the official FIA press conference on Thursday.

Verstappen, who used expletives to describe his car's disappointing performance at the last race in Azerbaijan, was ordered to “carry out some work of public interest” rather than pay a fine as in similar cases before, the stewards said. “This topic has been addressed before and is known to competitors.”

Speech during his appearance in the latest issue of Sky Sports F1 PodcastSteiner said that while he likes and gets along well with Ben Sulayem, who he has known since his days in rallying, he believes that the 62-year-old does not need to get so involved in the day-to-day affairs of the sport.

“I have known Mohammed for a very long time,” said Steiner.

“He comes from rallying, I come from rallying and I have spent quite a bit of time with him and as a person I like Mohammed, I have always liked him.”

“He's actually a good character, but as president, I think he sometimes gets too involved in the sport and doesn't do himself any favors.”

“You need people to run the organization because it is a big job to be president of an association like the FIA ​​and if you get involved in the day-to-day business, I don't think there is time for it at the level that must be done.”

As FIA President, Ben Sulayem, who was elected to this office by the members of the umbrella organization in December 2021 as the successor to Jean Todt, has responsibilities in global motorsport and automobile racing.

And Steiner added of the Emirati's F1 commitment: “In my opinion he should just have good people around him to do the work for him and he is always committed to it and sometimes criticized.”

“In these positions you have to get used to being criticized, you can’t always just be how good you are.”

“When you get praise, you also get criticism, and when you're a public figure, you're part of it. But you have to live with it, you can't be everyone's friend. That's just not going to happen – not even (for) me!”

“We need emotions in a sport” – Steiner on Verstappen’s verbal abuse

In protest against his sanction for swearing, Verstappen limited his answers in his two subsequent appearances at official FIA press conferences in Singapore, held after qualifying and then after the race, and instead spoke in more detail to journalists separately afterwards.

Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris backed Verstappen by saying they disagreed with the penalty handed down, with the seven-time champion suggesting the Red Bull driver should not serve it.

Steiner, who became famous for his often colorful and clear language during his time as boss of Haas, believes the whole situation could have easily been avoided so that the FIA ​​could curb the foul language.

“Max cursed the situation (in Baku). He made a comment about his car. Is it correct? No. Is it wrong? No,” said Steiner.

“He used the terminology he decided to use, that’s fine. But the more you bring it up, the more controversy arises, the more people talk about it.”

“If you don't want that to happen, then at driver meetings – all 20 drivers are there at every race – I would go in there and say, 'Hey guys, I have a request, can you help me?' “I’m out here? I am the president. Can we please tone down the swearing a bit?”

“These are 20 intelligent people, they don’t challenge you (if you look at it that way), but if you tell them you’re going to get fined or something like that, they challenge you.”

Steiner believes that it is the emotions of the participants that ultimately draw people to sport.

“It’s difficult for a racing driver,” he added.

“If you're in a car driving 350-360 km/h and another guy interrupts you and you say something full of emotion…then you don't really mean (what you said). Then the TV beeps out anyway.

“It's emotion. We are emotional people. What should you say? 'Oh my friend, you shouldn't have done that?' You won't say that when your adrenaline is surging and your heart rate is at 260.

“You won’t say that. But that is also what makes a sport. We need emotions in a sport, otherwise why should it be interesting? I think too much has been made of it (what happened in Singapore). “

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