Ben Sulayem: “I sent messages to Lewis Hamilton”

Present at the 2022 Dakar, the new President of the FIA ​​Mohammed Ben Sulayem returned to the controversial finale of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in Formula 1, theater of the coronation of Max Verstappen (Red Bull) in the last lap to the detriment of Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes). The decisions taken by the race management during the intervention of the Safety Car aroused immense anger in the Mercedes clan and the British driver has not communicated since this epilogue of the 2021 season at Yas Marina.

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“I study all facts, declared Mohammed Ben Sulayem. I think we have a dynamic sport, and we need to be dynamic too. Our regulations can and must always be improved, whether there is an incident or not. The development of motorsport is very rapid, it is no longer what it was five years ago. So we have to adapt to it, and we have to be proactive rather than reactive. I will study the events in Abu Dhabi. I was there and a decision will be made on how to move forward, without any pressure whatsoever. It is my duty to protect the integrity of the FIA, but that does not mean that we do not look at our regulations, and if there is the slightest improvement to be made, we will do so. »

The Emirati also claimed to have made contact with Lewis Hamilton: “ I've sent him some messages, but I don't think he's completely ready to respond right away. We don't blame him. I understand his position, but there is a regulation. It's not particularly linked to a driver or a team. It's general. There are rules we have to follow and I can't judge anyone without knowing the exact facts. » However, Jean Todt's successor does not imagine the seven-time world champion retiring from Formula 1. 

Lewis Hamilton's preparation before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: