Mohammed Ben Sulayem: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Emirati rally driver and president of FIA (born 1961)}} |
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{{Infobox WRC driver |
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{{use dmy dates|date=December 2021}} |
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| name = Mohammed Ben Sulayemm |
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{{Infobox officeholder |
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| image = |
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| name = Mohammed Ben Sulayem |
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| image = Dr.Mohammed BinSulayem.jpg |
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| office = President of [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]] |
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| term_start = 17 December 2021 |
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| term_end = |
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| predecessor = [[Jean Todt]] |
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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1961|11|12|df=y}} |
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| nationality = {{flagicon|UAE}} [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]] |
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| birth_place = [[Dubai]], [[Trucial States]] (now [[United Arab Emirates]]) |
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| Years = 1988, 1990, 1991 – 1995 |
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| nationality = [[Emiratis|Emirati]] |
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| Teams = [[Ford World Rally Team|Ford]], [[Toyota]] |
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| First race = 1984 [[Acropolis Rally]] |
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| children = |
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| First win = – |
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{{Infobox racing driver|subbox=yes |
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| retired = <!-- year of retirement --> |
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| last series = [[ Middle East Rally Championship]] |
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| years active = 1983–2002 |
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| teams = [[Ford World Rally Team|Ford]], [[Toyota Team Europe|Toyota]] |
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| prev series = <!-- previous series with line breaks --> |
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| titles = 14 X [[Middle East Rally Championship]] |
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'''Mohammed Ahmed bin Sulayem''' or '''Mohammed ben Sulayem''' (born 1961) is the Arab world’s leading motor sport figure and an influential official within the sport’s world governing body, the FIA. A successful organiser and record-breaking former international rally driver, he is a role model to young people across the Middle East. |
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'''Mohammed Ahmad Sultan Ben Sulayem''' ({{lang-ar|محمد بن سليم}}; born 12 November 1961) is an [[Emiratis|Emirati]] former rally driver and current president of the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]] (FIA), the governing body of many auto racing events including [[Formula One]]. |
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In a rallying career spanning three decades, he became the most successful Arab driver in motor sport history with 14 FIA Middle East Championship titles, and established himself as a sporting ambassador for the region. |
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He is a former rally driver, and one of the most successful [[Middle East Rally Championship]] drivers, winning 14 titles. In 2005, he became the President of the [[Automobile & Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates|Emirates Motorsports Organization]], the representative of the [[United Arab Emirates]] in the FIA. In 2008, he was elected as a Vice President for sport and a member of the [[FIA World Motor Sport Council]]. He was key to organizing the first [[Abu Dhabi Grand Prix]] in 2009. In 2012, he was among the founding members and chairman of FIA sub-region of Arab Council of Touring and Automobile Clubs. In December 2021, he was appointed as FIA President, succeeding [[Jean Todt]]. |
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In 2008, he became the first Arab named as Vice President of the FIA, and the first to be elected to the FIA World Motor Sport Council. In his FIA role he has pioneered teaching, research and knowledge transfer initiatives in motor sport. |
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==Early life and education== |
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As President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE since 2006, he has built the organisation into one of the world’s leading national motor sport and motoring authorities, with acknowledged expertise in associated training, research and education. |
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Sulayem was born on 12 November 1961 in [[Dubai]], [[Trucial States]] (now [[United Arab Emirates]]). He studied business at the [[American University]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], and at the [[University of Ulster]] where he graduated with a [[bachelor's degree]].<ref name="FIA">{{Cite report|date=17 December 2021|title=Mohammed Ben Sulayem, profile|url=https://www.fia.com/profile/mohammed-ben-sulayem |access-date=6 November 2023|publisher=[[Federation Internationale de l'Automobile]]|language=en}}</ref> |
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==Personal life== |
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Born in Dubai, he is one of the most celebrated sporting figures to emerge from the United Arab Emirates. He is recognised for presenting a modern and progressive image of the Arab world to a global audience, and by promoting good causes, public service and education. |
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Sulayem is a prominent car collector and owns multiple [[supercar]]s including [[Koenigsegg Agera]], [[Mercedes-Benz]], [[Ferrari]], [[Porsche]], [[McLaren]], [[Bugatti]], [[Jaguar]], [[Lexus]], [[Ford GT]], [[Lamborghini]] and [[Rolls-Royce Motor Cars| Rolls-Royce]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=ECR Collection - The Mohammed Ben Sulayem Collection|url=https://exclusivecarregistry.com/collection/themohammedbensulayemcollection|access-date=29 July 2022|website=Exclusive Car Registry|language=en}}</ref> |
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In July 2012, he was awarded the [[honorary degree]] of Doctor of Science from the University of Ulster in recognition of his services to sport, civic leadership and charity.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ulster Honours Gulf Rally Driver|url=https://www.ulster.ac.uk/news/2012/july/ulster-honours-gulf-rally-driver|access-date=4 May 2021|publisher=Ulster|date=7 November 2016|language=en}}</ref> |
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On 7 March 2023, Ben Sulayem's son, Saif Ben Sulayem, died in a road accident in Dubai.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Saif Ben Sulayem: FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's son killed in car crash in Dubai|url=https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/12828692/saif-ben-sulayem-fia-president-mohammed-ben-sulayems-son-killed-in-car-crash-in-dubai|date=9 March 2023|access-date=10 March 2023|newspaper=Sky Sports|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=FIA president Ben Sulayem's son loses life in road crash|url=https://www.motorsport.com/general/news/fia-president-ben-sulayems-son-loses-life-in-road-crash/10441692/|access-date=10 March 2023|publisher=Motorsport.com|date=9 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref> |
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==Education== |
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Sulayem studied at the [[American University]] in [[Washington D.C.]], and at the [[University of Ulster]] in the UK where he majored in business. |
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==Racing career== |
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Ben Sulayem competed in the [[Middle East Rally Championship]] driving for [[Toyota]] and [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]. He won his first title in 1986 with a [[Toyota Celica]] and went on to win six consecutive titles till 1991.<ref name="MERC"/> In 1994, He won his seventh title with a [[Ford Escort RS Cosworth]]. From 1996 to 2002, Ben Sulayem won a further seven titles with [[Ford Focus RS WRC|Ford]], making the most successful driver in the championship with over 60 wins and 14 titles (both the records have since been broken by [[Nasser Al-Attiyah]]).<ref name="MERC">{{Cite web|url=http://motorsportwinners.com/current/middle-east-rally-championship/|title=Middle East Rally Championship winners|publisher=Motorsport Winners|access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref> |
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==Administrative career== |
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In 2005, he became the President of the [[Automobile & Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates|Emirates Motorsports Organization]], the representative of the [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]] in FIA.<ref name="FIAP">{{Cite report|date=17 December 2021|title=Mohammed Ben Sulayem, profile|url=https://www.fia.com/file/166694/download/|access-date=6 November 2023|publisher=[[Federation Internationale de l'Automobile]]|language=en}}</ref> In 2008, he was elected as a Vice President for sport and a member of the [[FIA World Motor Sport Council]], and he was key to organizing the first [[Abu Dhabi Grand Prix]] in 2009.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Cooper|first=Sam|date=24 January 2023|title=Who is the FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and where does he come from? |url=https://www.planetf1.com/news/who-is-mohammed-ben-sulayem-fia-president|access-date=20 October 2023|publisher=PlanetF1|language=en}}</ref> In 2012, he was among the founding members and chairman of FIA sub-region of Arab Council of Touring and Automobile Clubs.<ref name="FIAP"/> |
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After entering rallying in [[Dubai]] in the early 1980s, Sulayem quickly progressed from local events into the [[FIA] Middle East Championship]] which was established in 1984, and two years later he won the first of his 14 regional titles. |
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In June 2013, he was appointed as the chairman of the new Motor Sport Development Task Force set up by the FIA to build a ten-year plan for the sport's global development.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/12/17/mohammed-ben-sulayem/|title=Who is new FIA President Mohammed ben Sulayem – was he a former driver?|date= 17 December 2021|publisher=HITC|access-date=18 December 2021}}</ref> In December 2021, he was appointed as the FIA President succeeding [[Jean Todt]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fia.com/news/mohammed-ben-sulayem-elected-fia-president|title=Mohammed Ben Sulayem elected FIA President|date=17 December 2021|publisher=FIA|access-date=19 December 2021}}</ref> |
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From that point on he dominated the Middle East Championship up to his retirement from competitive rallying in 2002, clinching the title in each of the 13 other seasons in which he contested the regional series. |
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==Honors== |
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With 61 international victories in the [[Middle East]] overall, he has won more [[FIA]] rallies, and more [[FIA]] championships, than any other driver. |
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*14 X [[Middle East Rally Championship]] (1986-91, 1994, 1996-2002) |
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===Individual=== |
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Sulayem’s international reputation was widened by regular overseas excursions, including several with the official Toyota works team in the [[FIA]] [[World Rally Championship]]. |
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Individual honors won include:<ref name="FIAP"/> |
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His 1991 victory in Turkey’s Bosphorus Rally was the first by an Arab driver in an international Rally outside the Middle East. |
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*Medal of Honour, [[King of Jordan|King]] [[Hussein of Jordan]] (1986) |
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*President’s Cup, [[President of Lebanon|President]] [[Amine Gemayel]] of [[Lebanon]] (1987) |
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*Medal of Honour, [[President of Lebanon|President]] [[Emile Lahoud]] of [[Lebanon]] (1999) |
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*Medal of Honour, [[King of Jordan|King]] [[Abdullah II of Jordan|Abdullah of Jordan]] (1999) |
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*Medal of Honour, [[King of Bahrain|King]] [[Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa]] of [[Bahrain]] (2004) |
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*UAE Sportsman of the Century, [[Agence France-Presse]] (AFP) |
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==Controversies== |
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Over the next two years he contested the [[Group N]] World Rally Championship, recording production class victories in [[Spain]] and [[Argentina]]. |
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In 2009, during a promotional event for [[Renault in Formula One|Renault F1 team]] in Dubai, Ben Sulayem crashed a [[Renault R28]] Formula One car in a race against a [[Ford GT]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/other-sport/rally-champion-wonders-what-went-wrong-in-f1-crash-1.548024|title=Rally champion wonders what went wrong in F1 crash|publisher=National News|access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref> |
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In 2022, Ben Sulayem, as FIA President, oversaw the investigation into the controversial ending of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The race ended with a last lap shootout when the Race Director (Michael Masi) brought in the safety car on the same lap as allowing lapped cars to unlap themselves. This breaches F1 regulations, which require the safety car to stay out for an additional lap after unlapping lapped cars. Had the regulations been applied correctly, the race would have ended under safety car conditions with no overtaking allowed on the final lap. The investigation concluded that whilst the safety car did not stay out for the additional lap, "as required by article 48.12", the result was legitimised because, as Mercedes AMG did not appeal, there was "no available mechanism to change the classification".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fia.com/news/fia-announces-world-motor-sport-council-decisions-25|title=FIA Announces World Motor Sport Council Decisions|publisher=FIA|access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref> The investigation failed to report that the FIA President has the power under Judicial & Disciplinary article 9.1.1.d to refer the controversial ending to the FIA International Court of Appeal (ICA) for them to decide whether the result was legitimate. The ICA have the power to change race classifications should they deem that regulations were infringed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fia.com/rules-practice-directions|title=FIA Judicial and Disciplinary rules|publisher=FIA|access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref> This option is available until March 2027, 5 years after the report was published, in accordance with the statute of limitation defined in the F1 Sporting Regulations. |
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Ben Sulayem allegedly told FIA officials to declare the Las Vegas circuit unsafe for racing and not certify the [[Las Vegas Grand Prix]] circuit for its 2023 race.<ref name="Andrew Benson">{{cite news |last1=Benson |first1=Andrew |title=Mohammed Ben Sulayem: FIA president allegedly told officials not to certify Las Vegas GP |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/68478049 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=5 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Sarkozi |first1=Kada |title='Ben Sulayem attempted to cancel Las Vegas GP last year' |url=https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/263097/fia-president-ben-sulayem-also-accused-of-wanting-to-cancel-las-vegas.html |publisher=GPblog}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McDonagh |first1=Connor |title=FIA’s Mohammed Ben Sulayem under more scrutiny as Las Vegas GP allegations emerge |url=https://www.crash.net/f1/news/1045039/1/fias-mohammed-ben-sulayem-under-more-scrutiny-las-vegas-gp-allegations-emerge |publisher=Crash |date=5 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=BHAGI |first1=PRANAY |title=Mohammed Ben Sulayem Attempted to Cancel $1.2 BN Worth Las Vegas GP for Mysterious Reasons |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/f1-news-mohammed-ben-sulayem-attempted-to-cancel-worth-las-vegas-gp-for-mysterious-reasons/ |publisher=Essentially Sports |date=5 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gale |first1=Ewan |title=FIA president facing fresh whistleblower allegations - report |url=https://racingnews365.com/fia-president-facing-fresh-whistleblower-allegations-report |publisher=Racing News |date=5 March 2024}}</ref> |
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==Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE== |
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Ben Sulayem is also under investigation for allegedly attempting to intervene in the results of the 2023 [[Saudi Arabian Grand Prix]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Golding |first1=Nick |last2= Parkes |first2=Ian |title=FIA President under investigation for alleged race interference |url=https://racingnews365.com/fia-president-under-investigation-for-alleged-race-interference |website=Racing News |date=5 March 2024}}</ref> On 5 March 2024 the FIA confirmed its [[compliance officer]] has received two whistleblower complaints.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fryer |first1=Jenna |title=FIA confirms whistleblower complaints against president regarding Saudi Arabia and Las Vegas races |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2024/mar/05/fia-confirms-whistleblower-complaints-against-pres/ |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=March 5, 2024}}</ref> |
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Since taking over as President of the ATCUAE in 2006, Sulayem has transformed the organisation into one of the world’s leading national [[motor sport]] authorities. |
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In January 2023, [[The Times]] newspaper resurfaced comments Ben Sulayem made on his now archived website in 2001. The newspaper quoted Sulayem as saying he did not like "women who think they are smarter than men, for they are not in truth". The veracity of the quotes was not refuted by Sulayem, but the FIA defended him saying "the remarks in this archived website from 2001 do not reflect the president's beliefs".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/fia-defends-ben-sulayem-after-reported-sexist-comments-2023-01-28/|title=FIA defends Ben Sulayem after reported sexist comments|author=Alan Baldwin|date=28 January 2023|publisher=Reuters|access-date=30 January 2023 }}</ref> |
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The Club is the official representative in the Emirates of the [[FIA]], motor sport’s world governing body, and its motor cycling, karting and classic car counterparts, the [[FIM]], [[CIK]] and [[[http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%A9d%C3%A9ration_Internationale_des_V%C3%A9hicules_Anciens FIVA]]]. |
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Overseeing more than 140 events annually from Formula One to local moto cross, the Club is now recognised internationally as a knowledge led organisation which delivers training programmes to assist the development of motor sport in many other countries. |
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Equally active in the field of mobility, it provides wide-ranging services to motorists and travellers in support of the FIA’s commitment to help people move easily about their world, and is a strong supporter of road safety initiatives. |
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==Motor sport duties== |
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Under Sulayem’s guidance, the Club has assumed growing responsibilities for the supervision of all forms of circuit racing, rallying, drag racing and moto cross that make up the UAE’s ever expanding [[motor sport]] calendar. |
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Its major duty is to ensure all events are run in accordance with the regulations of the [[FIA]] and [[FIM]], with top priority given to the safety of competitors, spectators, media and the general public. |
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The Club has major responsibilities as sporting organisers of the [[F1]] [[Etihad Airways]] [[Abu Dhabi Grand Prix]] and other year-round competitive events at [[Yas Marina Circuit]]. |
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Since 2009, it has worked hand in hand with[[ Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management]] to create one of the world’s premier platforms for [[F1]] racing and other world-class competitive motor sport. |
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In addition to its role in overseeing UAE motor sport, the Club also organises the [[Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge]], a round of both the [[FIA World Cup for Cross Country world cup]] and the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship, as well as the Dubai International Rally, the annual closing round of the FIA [[Middle East Rally Championship]]. |
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==Interests== |
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As the owner of Ben Sulayem Performance, he and his team have been noted for creating super-high performance modifications to a variety of sports and luxury cars. In 2005, he received press in motorsports' circles for having a [[Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class|Mercedes SLK 55 AMG]] modified to accept a Modified [[Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren|SLR]] engine, providing the car with over 740 [[horsepower|hp]] and 1200 [[Newton meter|Nm]] (885 [[foot-pound force|ft·lb]]) of [[torque]]. The modified SLK has a higher top speed (350 km/h estimated) than the production SLR due to differences in weight and was noted for a video depicting it out-performing an unmodified [[Enzo Ferrari (automobile)|Enzo Ferrari]]. |
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On April 9, 2009 while demonstrating a [[Renault R28]] [[Formula One|F1]] car – in a drag race against [[2008 GP2 Asia Series season|2008 GP2 Asia Series]] champion [[Romain Grosjean]], who was driving a [[Ford GT]] – at an exhibition at the [[Dubai Autodrome]], Sulayem lost control of the vehicle under acceleration and crashed into the pit wall, causing extensive damage to the car. He was uninjured in the incident.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090409/NATIONAL/528266148/-1/ART|title=Ben Sulayem survives high-speed crash|date=2009-04-09|publisher=The National}}</ref> |
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He is featured in [[Colin McRae: Dirt 2]] and a cameo appearance in [[Dirt 3]]. |
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==Major rally wins and championships== |
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*[[Middle East Rally]] Championship (14): 1986–91, 1994, 1996–2002 |
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*UAE International Rally (5): 1996–99, 2001 |
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*Bahrain International Rally (3): 2000–02 |
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*Qatar International Rally (9): 1988, 1990–91, 1996–98, 2000–02 |
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*Jordan International Rally (12): 1984, 1987–88, 1990, 1994, 1996–2002 |
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*Rally du Liban (4): 1987, 1997–99 |
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*Syrian International Rally (3): 2000–02 |
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*Dubai International Rally (15): 1985–88, 1991–95, 1997–2002 |
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*Oman International Rally (6): 1986–87, 1990–91, 1994, 1998 |
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*Kuwait International Rally (4): 1985, 1988–89, 1996 |
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*Saudi International Rally (1): 2000 |
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* India International Gundo Rally (34):2003 |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Commons category|Mohammed |
{{Commons category|Mohammed bin Sulayem}} |
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*[http://www.mohammedbensulayem.com/ Mohammed Ben Sulayem] |
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060425052945/http://www.mohammedbensulayem.com/ Mohammed Ben Sulayem] |
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*[http://www.bspturbo.com/index.htm Ben Sulayem Performance] |
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060515115828/http://www.bspturbo.com/index.htm Ben Sulayem Performance] |
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*[http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090409/NATIONAL/528266148/-1/ART] |
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{{s-start}} |
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*[http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/custom-carshot-rods/more-on-the-slrpowered-mercedes-slk-out-of-the-mouths-of-mechanics-122019.php Jalopnik ''More on the SLR-Powered Mercedes SLK: Out of the Mouths of Mechanics''] |
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{{s-sports}} |
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*[http://www.atcuae.ae/ Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE] |
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{{succession box | before = [[Jean Todt]] | title = President of the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]] | years= 2021–present | after= Incumbent}} |
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{{succession box | before = [[Saeed Al-Hajri (rally driver)|Saeed Al-Hajri]] | title = [[Middle East Rally Championship|Middle East Rally Champion]] | years = 1986–1991 | after = Mamdouh Khayat }} |
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{{succession box | before = Hamed Al-Thani | title = [[Middle East Rally Championship|Middle East Rally Champion]] | years = 1994 | after = [[Abdullah Bakhashab]]}} |
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{{succession box | before = [[Abdullah Bakhashab]] | title = [[Middle East Rally Championship|Middle East Rally Champion]] | years = 1996–2002 | after = [[Nasser Al-Attiyah]]}} |
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{{s-end}} |
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{{FIA}}{{Authority control}} |
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{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. --> |
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| NAME = Sulayem, Mohammed Ben |
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| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = |
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| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Emirati rally driver |
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| DATE OF BIRTH = 1961 |
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| PLACE OF BIRTH = UAE |
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| DATE OF DEATH = |
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| PLACE OF DEATH = |
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}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sulayem, Mohammed Ben}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sulayem, Mohammed Ben}} |
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[[Category:1961 births]] |
[[Category:1961 births]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:Emirati rally drivers]] |
[[Category:Emirati rally drivers]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Sportspeople from Dubai]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Middle East Rally Championship]] |
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[[Category:Presidents of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]] |
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Revision as of 21:50, 26 April 2024
Mohammed Ben Sulayem | |||||||||||
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| President of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile | |||||||||||
| Assumed office 17 December 2021 | |||||||||||
| Preceded by | Jean Todt | ||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||
| Born | 12 November 1961 Dubai, Trucial States (now United Arab Emirates) | ||||||||||
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Mohammed Ahmad Sultan Ben Sulayem (Arabic: محمد بن سليم; born 12 November 1961) is an Emirati former rally driver and current president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body of many auto racing events including Formula One.
He is a former rally driver, and one of the most successful Middle East Rally Championship drivers, winning 14 titles. In 2005, he became the President of the Emirates Motorsports Organization, the representative of the United Arab Emirates in the FIA. In 2008, he was elected as a Vice President for sport and a member of the FIA World Motor Sport Council. He was key to organizing the first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009. In 2012, he was among the founding members and chairman of FIA sub-region of Arab Council of Touring and Automobile Clubs. In December 2021, he was appointed as FIA President, succeeding Jean Todt.
Early life and education
Sulayem was born on 12 November 1961 in Dubai, Trucial States (now United Arab Emirates). He studied business at the American University in Washington, D.C., and at the University of Ulster where he graduated with a bachelor's degree.[1]
Personal life
Sulayem is a prominent car collector and owns multiple supercars including Koenigsegg Agera, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren, Bugatti, Jaguar, Lexus, Ford GT, Lamborghini and Rolls-Royce.[2]
In July 2012, he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Science from the University of Ulster in recognition of his services to sport, civic leadership and charity.[3]
On 7 March 2023, Ben Sulayem's son, Saif Ben Sulayem, died in a road accident in Dubai.[4][5]
Racing career
Ben Sulayem competed in the Middle East Rally Championship driving for Toyota and Ford. He won his first title in 1986 with a Toyota Celica and went on to win six consecutive titles till 1991.[6] In 1994, He won his seventh title with a Ford Escort RS Cosworth. From 1996 to 2002, Ben Sulayem won a further seven titles with Ford, making the most successful driver in the championship with over 60 wins and 14 titles (both the records have since been broken by Nasser Al-Attiyah).[6]
Administrative career
In 2005, he became the President of the Emirates Motorsports Organization, the representative of the UAE in FIA.[7] In 2008, he was elected as a Vice President for sport and a member of the FIA World Motor Sport Council, and he was key to organizing the first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009.[8] In 2012, he was among the founding members and chairman of FIA sub-region of Arab Council of Touring and Automobile Clubs.[7]
In June 2013, he was appointed as the chairman of the new Motor Sport Development Task Force set up by the FIA to build a ten-year plan for the sport's global development.[9] In December 2021, he was appointed as the FIA President succeeding Jean Todt.[10]
Honors
- 14 X Middle East Rally Championship (1986-91, 1994, 1996-2002)
Individual
Individual honors won include:[7]
- Medal of Honour, King Hussein of Jordan (1986)
- President’s Cup, President Amine Gemayel of Lebanon (1987)
- Medal of Honour, President Emile Lahoud of Lebanon (1999)
- Medal of Honour, King Abdullah of Jordan (1999)
- Medal of Honour, King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa of Bahrain (2004)
- UAE Sportsman of the Century, Agence France-Presse (AFP)
Controversies
In 2009, during a promotional event for Renault F1 team in Dubai, Ben Sulayem crashed a Renault R28 Formula One car in a race against a Ford GT.[11]
In 2022, Ben Sulayem, as FIA President, oversaw the investigation into the controversial ending of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The race ended with a last lap shootout when the Race Director (Michael Masi) brought in the safety car on the same lap as allowing lapped cars to unlap themselves. This breaches F1 regulations, which require the safety car to stay out for an additional lap after unlapping lapped cars. Had the regulations been applied correctly, the race would have ended under safety car conditions with no overtaking allowed on the final lap. The investigation concluded that whilst the safety car did not stay out for the additional lap, "as required by article 48.12", the result was legitimised because, as Mercedes AMG did not appeal, there was "no available mechanism to change the classification".[12] The investigation failed to report that the FIA President has the power under Judicial & Disciplinary article 9.1.1.d to refer the controversial ending to the FIA International Court of Appeal (ICA) for them to decide whether the result was legitimate. The ICA have the power to change race classifications should they deem that regulations were infringed.[13] This option is available until March 2027, 5 years after the report was published, in accordance with the statute of limitation defined in the F1 Sporting Regulations.
Ben Sulayem allegedly told FIA officials to declare the Las Vegas circuit unsafe for racing and not certify the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit for its 2023 race.[14][15][16][17][18] Ben Sulayem is also under investigation for allegedly attempting to intervene in the results of the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.[19] On 5 March 2024 the FIA confirmed its compliance officer has received two whistleblower complaints.[20]
In January 2023, The Times newspaper resurfaced comments Ben Sulayem made on his now archived website in 2001. The newspaper quoted Sulayem as saying he did not like "women who think they are smarter than men, for they are not in truth". The veracity of the quotes was not refuted by Sulayem, but the FIA defended him saying "the remarks in this archived website from 2001 do not reflect the president's beliefs".[21]
References
- ^ Mohammed Ben Sulayem, profile (Report). Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ "ECR Collection - The Mohammed Ben Sulayem Collection". Exclusive Car Registry. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
- ^ "Ulster Honours Gulf Rally Driver". Ulster. 7 November 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
- ^ "Saif Ben Sulayem: FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's son killed in car crash in Dubai". Sky Sports. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ "FIA president Ben Sulayem's son loses life in road crash". Motorsport.com. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Middle East Rally Championship winners". Motorsport Winners. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ a b c Mohammed Ben Sulayem, profile (Report). Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ Cooper, Sam (24 January 2023). "Who is the FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and where does he come from?". PlanetF1. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
- ^ "Who is new FIA President Mohammed ben Sulayem – was he a former driver?". HITC. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
- ^ "Mohammed Ben Sulayem elected FIA President". FIA. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
- ^ "Rally champion wonders what went wrong in F1 crash". National News. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ "FIA Announces World Motor Sport Council Decisions". FIA. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- ^ "FIA Judicial and Disciplinary rules". FIA. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- ^ Benson, Andrew (5 March 2024). "Mohammed Ben Sulayem: FIA president allegedly told officials not to certify Las Vegas GP". BBC Sport. BBC.
- ^ Sarkozi, Kada. "'Ben Sulayem attempted to cancel Las Vegas GP last year'". GPblog.
- ^ McDonagh, Connor (5 March 2024). "FIA's Mohammed Ben Sulayem under more scrutiny as Las Vegas GP allegations emerge". Crash.
- ^ BHAGI, PRANAY (5 March 2024). "Mohammed Ben Sulayem Attempted to Cancel $1.2 BN Worth Las Vegas GP for Mysterious Reasons". Essentially Sports.
- ^ Gale, Ewan (5 March 2024). "FIA president facing fresh whistleblower allegations - report". Racing News.
- ^ Golding, Nick; Parkes, Ian (5 March 2024). "FIA President under investigation for alleged race interference". Racing News.
- ^ Fryer, Jenna (5 March 2024). "FIA confirms whistleblower complaints against president regarding Saudi Arabia and Las Vegas races". Las Vegas Sun.
- ^ Alan Baldwin (28 January 2023). "FIA defends Ben Sulayem after reported sexist comments". Reuters. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mohammed bin Sulayem.
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