Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s latest comments have sparked fresh controversy in Formula 1, with former driver Christijan Albers calling out the FIA president’s attitude toward drivers and transparency.
The tension centers around driver fines and where that money actually goes – something Ben Sulayem apparently doesn’t feel he needs to explain to F1 drivers.
“Uncle Ben thinks he doesn’t have to answer to anyone,” Albers said on De Telegraaf’s podcast, clearly frustrated by the FIA president’s recent interview.
What really got under Albers’ skin was Ben Sulayem’s aggressive response about financial transparency. “He’s not just unhelpful – he’s flat-out rude about it,” the former F1 driver explained. “And let’s remember who keeps the FIA running – it’s Formula 1 teams and FOM.”
“He’s absolutely not transparent. Zero point zero transparent,” Albers emphasized.
The criticism didn’t stop there. Albers took aim at what he sees as a disconnect between the FIA’s leadership and the realities of race weekend operations.
“These FIA guys are living the high life,” he said. “They’re not the ones working hard at the circuit every weekend.”
It’s just the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Ben Sulayem’s leadership. The FIA has recently seen several high-profile departures, and there’s been ongoing tension over his stance on driver behavior, particularly regarding swearing during broadcasts.
The situation highlights growing friction between F1’s governing body and those working at the heart of the sport – especially the drivers who are increasingly vocal about wanting more accountability from the top.
