Source: REUTERS/Rula Rouhana
[Saba Sports News] The BBC recently reported that a whistleblower has
informed the FIA about an alleged incident of race fixing involving FIA
president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. According to the whistleblower, Sulayem
intervened in the results of the 2023 Saudi Grand Prix by overturning a penalty
imposed on Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso. Initially, Alonso had received
a 5-second penalty for not complying with regulations regarding his starting
parking position. Subsequently, he was given an additional 10-second penalty
due to contact between a technician and the car before the race. The
whistleblower claims that Sulayem contacted the FIA vice-president for the
Middle East and North Africa region, instructing that Alonso’s punishment be
revoked. As a result of the penalty cancellation, Alonso regained his podium
position instead of dropping to fourth place. Several high-ranking F1 officials
and individuals within the FIA have been made aware of this information. The
ethics committee is expected to complete its investigation and issue a report
within four to six weeks. At present, neither Bin Sulayem nor the FIA have
provided any comments on the matter.