On-track Formula 1 was almost a regular occurrence in 2023. Max Verstappen’s move towards the title was as confident and dominant as the sport has ever seen. But after the final checkered flag fell behind the scenes, there were other signs of the unrest, distrust and conflict simmering at the heart of the sport.
Two days before Christmas, it was revealed that Steve Nielsen, sporting director of F1’s governing body, the FIA, had resigned from his post after less than a year in the role. Appointed in January, he was brought in to address what were seen as failings in the FIA’s management of race control following the controversy over the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which particularly angered Lewis Hamilton and the Mercedes team.
Relating to: Lewis Hamilton condemns FIA’s intermittent investigation into Toto and Susie Wolff
Nielsen received a warm welcome. He was experienced and respected, having worked at Lotus, Tyrell, Williams and Benetton, and later at F1 owner Formula 1 Management (FOM).
His appointment was touted by FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem as part of the governing body’s plan to restructure and improve F1 regulations. Nielsen was reportedly disappointed that the FIA had not addressed the changes he believed were necessary and was unhappy with the progress of these changes..
His early departure follows a series of turmoil this season that have put Ben Sulayem and the FIA at odds with both commercial rights holder FOM and, at times, teams.
Two weeks before Nielsen’s resignation, the head of the FIA’s women’s commission, Deborah Mayer, also resigned. Both departures were preceded by an already embarrassing end to the year for the FIA. He caused consternation by launching a conflict of interest investigation into Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and his wife Susie, who runs the sport’s all-female F1 Academy.
There were no results. Mercedes condemned the investigation, as did Susie Wolff, who called it “humiliating”. FOM warned against “making unfounded, imprudent and serious allegations”. A day later, each of the other nine teams issued a nearly identical statement confirming that they had made no complaints about the passing of information between the Wolffs.
The FIA immediately responded and announced that there was no case to answer, but did not explain the reasons for the investigation. Some consequences may yet emerge as the case remains in the hands of the lawyers representing Mercedes and Wolff.
The Observer understands that the FOM is extremely concerned that the sport’s reputation has been tarnished by little or no evidence and that the increasingly strained relationship with the FIA has become even more strained.
FOM’s trust and confidence in the FIA was damaged time and time again while in Ben Sulayem’s hands. There was a disagreement with Hamilton over the driver’s wearing of jewelery during the race; objection to expansion of sprint races; and subsequent restrictions on drivers expressing their views on social and political issues were condemned and it had to be clarified that this only referred to areas already regulated by the FIA, such as the podium. A clumsy attempt to break the butterfly on a wheel.
This year was further followed by Ben Sulayem openly questioning the commercial value of the sport; FOM reacted strongly to this, warning that it was an “unacceptable” interference with the rights of the sport. In April, she faced accusations that she did not take sexism seriously within the FIA, which the governing body vehemently denied. But these allegations follow quotes he made on his former personal website, which became public more than 20 years ago, in which he apparently stated that he “doesn’t like women who think they’re smarter than men, because they really aren’t.” Ben Sulayem denied misogyny and the FIA responded by stating that his remarks “do not reflect the beliefs of the FIA president” and noted his “strong record of promoting women and equality in sport”.
Yet an insider told the Guardian at the time: “It’s an open and running joke in the paddock, unfortunately.” What happened in the last weeks of 2023 will not have changed this perception at all. The FIA has not yet made a statement about Nielsen or the investigation into the Wolffs.
Transparency and trust are lacking, but unnecessary hostilities seem to be the order of the day. In late November, Ben Sulayem announced that he would gladly welcome 2021 Abu Dhabi race director Michael Masi back to the FIA if conditions warrant. Masi was almost certainly responsible for decisions that cost Hamilton the championship, which were later announced by the FIA. have We consider the investigation to be a case of “good faith” human error. Mercedes, Wolff and many fans were furious at the time and still held Masi responsible.
The number of incidents raises questions about whether the FIA is fit for purpose under the current leadership or whether the governing body is merely shifting from one pillar to the next. The situation cannot be ignored. Relations between the FIA and F1 are already fracturing and each new outrage escalates tensions. Further dissatisfaction with the FIA in the new year will fan the flames of the burgeoning political fire.