Las Vegas, Nevada – Formula 1 racing has been shaken by allegations of misconduct surrounding the certification process of the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the president of Formula 1’s governing body, is at the center of controversy. An anonymous whistleblower claims that Ben Sulayem instructed officials to find reasons not to certify the track for the race last year, according to a report by the FIA’s compliance officer to its ethics committee.
The allegations suggest that the FIA president’s intervention was aimed at preventing the circuit from being deemed safe for racing, raising concerns about the integrity of the certification process. While an FIA spokesperson has insisted that the Las Vegas circuit approval adhered to FIA protocol despite a delay in inspection due to ongoing construction works, the whistleblower’s claims paint a different picture.
The compliance report detailing the whistleblower’s account reveals a directive to identify artificial concerns with the track to withhold certification, prompting further scrutiny into the motives behind such actions. The whistleblower stated that officials were tasked with fabricating issues on the circuit, raising questions about the transparency and impartiality of the certification process.
As the investigation unfolds, conflicting recollections from different officials present during the alleged misconduct add layers of complexity to the situation. The lack of clarity on Ben Sulayem’s motivations for interfering with the certification process raises suspicions about potential ulterior motives behind the actions, especially given the significance of the Las Vegas Grand Prix as a marquee event for F1.
The controversy surrounding Ben Sulayem is not isolated, as previous incidents involving his interventions in matters related to F1 have raised eyebrows within the racing community. From involving himself in controversies surrounding key figures like Christian Horner to facing legal actions over compliance inquiries, Ben Sulayem’s tenure as FIA president has been marred by allegations of impropriety, casting a shadow over the integrity of the sport.
The reported incident during the Las Vegas race weekend, where a drain dislodged on the track, disrupting practice sessions, further underscores the challenges faced by F1 in ensuring the safety and compliance of racing circuits. As the investigation into the certification process continues, the implications of such alleged misconduct on the future of Formula 1 remain uncertain, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in the governing bodies of the sport.