Former Haas team boss Guenther Steiner believes FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem has become “too involved” in the sport following the swearing episode involving Max Verstappen.
Ben Sulayem suggested in an interview published ahead of last month’s Singapore GP that he would like to see fewer messages containing hate speech on F1’s world TV feed – which are bleeped – and that drivers also have a responsibility for what they say. Keep that in mind. In the car, world champion Verstappen was penalized for swearing at the official FIA press conference on Thursday.
Verstappen, who used the expletive to describe his car’s disappointing performance in the previous race in Azerbaijan, was ordered to “complete some task of public interest” rather than pay a fine, as had previously been the case in similar cases. Matters happened, as the steward said. This topic has been raised before and is well known by the competitors”.
Speaking during his appearance on the latest edition of Sky Sports F1 podcastSteiner said that while he likes Ben Sulayem and has a good relationship with him, whom he has known since his rally days, he believes the 62-year-old should not be so involved in the day-to-day affairs of the sport. Not required. ,
“I’ve known Mohammed for a very long time,” Steiner said.
“He rallies, I rally, and I’ve spent a lot of time with him and I like Mohammed as a person, I’ve always liked him.
“He’s a really good character, but as a president I think sometimes he gets too involved in the game and it doesn’t do him any good.
“You have to have people running the organization because being president of a federation like the FIA is a big job and if you get involved in the day-to-day running of things, I don’t think there’s time to do it at the level it needs to be done.” Need.”
As FIA President, Ben Sulayem, who was elected to membership of the governing body in December 2021 as Jean Todt’s successor, has responsibilities across global motorsport and motoring.
And Steiner said on the Emirati’s F1 involvement: “In my opinion, he has to have good people around him working for him and he’s always involved and sometimes criticized.
“In these situations you have to get used to taking criticism, you can’t always be impartial [about] How nice you are.
“If you get praise you also get criticism and that’s part of it when you’re a public figure. But you have to live with it, you can’t be everybody’s friend. It’s not going to happen – even not even that [for] Me!”
‘We need emotions in sport’ – Steiner on Verstappen swearing controversy
In protest of his sanction for swearing, Verstappen limited his answers in his two subsequent appearances at the official FIA press conference in Singapore, which took place after qualifying and then the race, instead speaking to journalists in more detail separately. Talked.
Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Verstappen was part of a surprise press conference after qualifying in Singapore as he refused to give detailed answers to questions after the swearing penalty.
Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris supported Verstappen, saying they did not agree with the punishment given, with the seven-time champion suggesting the Red Bull driver should not be punished.
Steiner, who became famous for his often colorful and straight-talking language while he was in charge of Haas, believes the entire situation could have easily been avoided had the FIA toned down the bad language.
“Max swore the situation [in Baku]He made a comment about his car. Is this correct? No, is this wrong? No,” Steiner said.
“They used whatever terminology they decided to use, that’s fine. But the more you bring it up, the more controversy you create, the more people speak about it.
“If you don’t want that to happen then what I would do is when there are drivers’ meetings – all 20 drivers at every race – you go there and say ‘Hey, guys, I have a wish, can you help? I’m here. ?I’m the President, can we slow down the swearing in?’
“They’re 20 intelligent people, they don’t challenge you [if that’s how you approach it]But if you tell them you’ll be fined or something, they’ll challenge you.”
Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris did not believe it was right for Verstappen to receive a swearing penalty from the FIA
Steiner believes that seeing the emotions of the participants is what ultimately attracts people to the sport.
“It’s tough for a race-car driver,” he said.
“When you are sitting in a car and going at a speed of 350-360 kmph and someone else stops you and you say something in emotion… you don’t really mean it [what you have said]Then the TV beeps anyway.
“It’s emotion. We’re emotional people. What should you say? ‘Oh my friend, you shouldn’t have done that?’ You’re not going to say that when your adrenaline is going and your pulse is up to 260.
“You’re not going to say that. But that’s what defines a game. We need emotions in the game otherwise why would it be interesting? So I think a lot of that was done in [what happened in Singapore],
Don’t miss an episode of the Sky Sports F1 Podcast. Subscribe Now: apple podcasts , spotify , speaker
There are only six races left in Formula 1 2024 and the season resumes with the United States Grand Prix in Austin from 18-20 October, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month subscription – no contract, cancel anytime
