FIA President Implements Crackdown on Negative Comments to Combat Online Abuse

FIA Chief Ben Sulayem Announces Measures Against Misconduct

FIA leader highlights how criticisms from rivals contribute to cyber harassment

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem announced that an amendment to the International Sporting Code has been adopted to address what he referred to as "negative comments".

In recent times, there's been a notable increase in occurrences where drivers and team staff across various FIA-regulated racing categories have openly criticized judgments passed by the authorities.

Formula 1 racer Sergio Perez, associated with Red Bull, received a caution for labeling the race officials as "a joke" following a sanction during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Meanwhile, in 2022, Fernando Alonso criticized them as “incompetent”.

In a message shared on his social media platforms, Ben Sulayem reveals that according to FIA's investigations, there seems to be a link between the critical remarks directed at the organization's race officials by competitors and the online harassment they endure.

Ben Sulayem asserts that the members of the World Motor Sport Council have sanctioned an amendment to the sports code that redefines misconduct, aiming to address such statements more stringently.

The World Motor Sport Council has not yet released any formal communication regarding this issue.

Sulayem's statement highlighted: "In our continuous battle against digital harassment, recent probes have revealed a direct correlation between disparaging remarks made by drivers and team members and a surge in hostility aimed at officials on social platforms."

During the most recent meeting of the World Motor Sport Council, participants endorsed an amendment to the interpretation of misconduct in the ISC after occurrences where prominent figures in our sport directed comments at officials that provoked harassment.

"This adjustment guarantees enhanced backing for the FIA personnel and volunteers committed to advancing our sport, maintaining its safety and integrity.

"Our officials must be ready to demonstrate firmness in addressing this type of misconduct, and they possess my complete backing, as well as the backing of our Global Sports Regulations, in their decision-making process.

"I call on them to demonstrate the FIA's commitment to prohibiting all forms of abuse in our sport."

Since assuming the role of FIA president at the close of 2021, Ben Sulayem has found himself embroiled in several contentious issues.

At the beginning of the year, allegations surfaced that he meddled with the race officials' choice to reverse a penalty given to Alonso during the 2023 Saudi Arabia race. Furthermore, he was accused of lobbying against the FIA's approval of the Las Vegas track.

The FIA’s Ethics Committee found him not guilty of any misconduct.

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