Wolff backs FIA president after "christening of fire"
Wolff backs FIA president after "christening of fire"
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has backed FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem for his handling of controversies in F1 since his "christening of fire".
Ben Sulayem took post in December last year and was instantly tasked with addressing the contentious ending to the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen edged out Lewis Hamilton on the final lap following a controversial safety car period.
But since then, further controversies have taken hold, such as the jewellery and underwear furore between governing body and the drivers and, more recently, the Red Bull budget cap breach, which has dominated recent headlines.
With the different sagas flowing off the back of each other, Ben Sulayem has scarcely had the chance to settle into his role but Wolff has commended the president for his firm governance.
“Last season ended with a big controversy at the start of his reign," said Wolff.
"Then what we have seen from that moment on was a firm stance on various regulations and I think that is important.
“He has had a christening of fire with Abu Dhabi and I think you can’t object to him that he is not enforcing the regulations, for trivial things and for the important ones.”
Wolff - F1 must "move on" from Abu Dhabi talk
The budget cap breach has rekindled talk of last year's Abu Dhabi finale and the potential for the FIA to strip Verstappen of his first title.
But Wolff believes that the sport must now look to the future, adding: “When these things happened, there were voices that it would go away and let the season start, but it was just so controversial that it is still around.
"Is it good for the sport? I don’t think so. I think we need to move on.
"There is nothing we can do about it anymore and this is what we have done because you can’t eat yourself up every day.”
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Chinese Grand Prix Sprint 2024 results: Hamilton gets best result of year as Ferraris CLASH
- 24 minutes ago
F1 Chinese Grand Prix weather forecast - latest today from Shanghai
- 1 hour ago
Hamilton dealt China blow after major FIA decision as Ricciardo given huge Horner warning - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
F1 team unveil star-studded lineup in China
- Yesterday 23:12
F1 Qualifying Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule and TV
- Yesterday 22:27
Horner delivers threat to Ricciardo over Red Bull pressure
- Yesterday 21:57
Related news
Wolff left FUMING with Mercedes despite amazing Hamilton lap
Wolff 'p*****' by Verstappen error as star makes Mercedes debut
Hamilton to open Wolff talks at Mercedes amid Ferrari F1 move uncertainty
Mercedes announce MAJOR £5.9 million loss in profits
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860