FIA, Ben Sulayem, socials — Photo: © IMAGO

Las Vegas Grand Prix

FIA boss arrives for Las Vegas GP inspection after Trump congratulation

The FIA have been under scrutiny in recent weeks

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Accredited motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Saturday 9 November 2024 05:00

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has arrived in Las Vegas, far ahead of the race taking place there in two weeks time.

The FIA boss has been dogged all year by criticism, both from inside and outside the paddock, and he was also investigated early in the year for alleged interference in the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP.

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Ben Sulayem was also accused of preventing approval of the Las Vegas GP circuit prior to its debut in 2023.

However, the FIA cleared the boss of any wrongdoing, and claimed there was no evidence to substantiate these allegations.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem has faced criticism in 2024

FIA boss spotted in Las Vegas

The decision and the president’s comments elicited criticism from the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, the latter of which engaged in a public protest across the race weekend.

Since then, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), a trade union-type organisation that encompasses all F1 drivers, have released a joint statement regarding the swearing row.

In the statement, the GPDA urged the FIA to 'treat drivers like adults’, whilst also blasting Ben Sulayem for the way he has spoken to and about the drivers since the swearing row.

Despite increased pressure, it remains business as usual for the FIA boss who shared an F1 update as he inspected the Las Vegas GP track.

Las Vegas returned to the F1 calendar in 2023

The 62-year-old posted pictures to his Instagram stories him attending the iconic track ahead of the event at the end of November, having also posted a picture of himself and Donald Trump this week, congratulating the president elect on his victory at the polls.

“Nice to meet up with Las Vegas Grand Prix CEO Renee Wilm and circuit project manager Terry Miller ahead of the upcoming race on the glitzy street circuit," he wrote in the story's caption.

F1 returns to Las Vegas from November 22-24, as Verstappen edges closer to achieving his fourth consecutive world title following a spectacular win at the Brazilian GP.

Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton FIA Las Vegas Mohammed Ben Sulayem Singapore GP