FIA president faces scrutiny over driver treatment and communication style

The President of the FIA oversees global motorsport governance, including Formula 1. They set rules, manage officials, and ensure safety standards. Mohammed Ben Sulayem has held the position since 2021, succeeding Jean Todt. In November 2024, Niels Wittich was dismissed as race director, replaced by Rui Marques. This change coincided with the FIA's launch of a new Officials Department to train race officials, led by Ben Sulayem. Recent scrutiny of Ben Sulayem arose from a letter by the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, urging better treatment of drivers and a review of his communication style. This follows a controversy involving Max Verstappen.