Mohammed Ben Sulayem caught by comments from 2001 deemed sexist

Clearly, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has monopolized the news and attention in recent days on the F1 planet. In addition to his differences of opinion on many subjects with Liberty Media and the FOM concerning the future of the Formula 1, the Emirati was pinned by The Times the last days.

The British daily has in fact republished comments made by MBS on his former website, the late mohammedbensulayem.com. It is an archive copy of the site from 2002, which can no longer be visited, which shows the President of the FIA, then pilot of rally, make remarks that are, to say the least, derogatory towards women.

In essence, in a section “I like-I don’t like”, Mohammed Ben Sulayem explained that he did not like discussions revolving around money, while specifying that he did not like either “women who think they are more intelligent than men, because that is not the truth”.

Comments that have emerged in recent days while the FIA ​​and its President are experiencing turbulence in their relationship with the F1 promoter. “Remarks on this old website from 2001 do not reflect the president's beliefs”, justified the FIA ​​communication unit to our colleagues at Race fans.

“He has a strong record of promoting women and equality in sport, which he is happy to be judged on. It was a central element of his manifesto and the actions taken this year and the many years he was vice-president for sport prove it. »

Since his election at the head of the FIA ​​in 2021 as successor to Jean Todt, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has notably hired the first female CEO of the International Federation, in this case Natalie Robyn. He also named Tanya Kutsenko as the first advisor on equality, diversity and inclusion dedicated to motorsport.

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