22/07/2025 17:12
Riccardo Patrese wants to see Mohammed Ben Sulayem succeeded as FIA
president, taking aim at the incumbent for wanting "everything in
his hands." The Emirati is being challenged for his position at the
top of the motorsport governing body by former F1 steward Tim Mayer
in December's elections, and Patrese has advocated having a
president who can "better understand motor racing" running the FIA.
Ben Sulayem was a rally driver, in a career spanning from the 1980s
to the early 2000s, before moving into motorsport governance after
retiring. Whilst his tenure, which began at the end of 2021, has
been marked by controversy within the organisation, he remains a
popular figure within many of the federations which will vote in
the upcoming elections. For Patrese, however, he would like to see
changes within how the FIA governs the on-track action in F1 - and
other championships. "Yes, I think so," The Italian told Prime
Casino when asked if he felt there should be a change at the helm
of the FIA. "I would like to see a Formula 1 that comes back a
little bit to the old times. "I think the rules should be reviewed
to have a sport with more free space for the drivers in driving,
and in fighting and in talking." The six-time grand prix winner
highlighted the contentious stewards' penalty guidelines as part of
the reason he would like to see a change. "But unfortunately, this
president doesn't want the fights, doesn't want the talk; he wants
to have everything in his hands," the 71-year-old added. "So maybe
a new president, one that can better understand motor racing, would
be good. We have this Formula 1 where there are penalties if you
say something wrong." The FIA presidential elections will be held
on December 12 in Uzbekistan, which is when the next general
assembly will convene. Mayer has vowed to end Ben Sulayem's "reign
of terror" but believed the deck is stacked against him. Carlos
Sainz Sr., who had considered running against the 63-year-old,
ultimately decided against launching a campaign.
