Formula 1 boss Mohammed Ben Sulayem has defended historic sexist comments on his personal website, in which he reportedly said he “doesn’t like women who think they are smarter than men” – and revealed he was subjected to racist comments when he campaigned for FIA chairman.
In an interview with the PA news agency, the 62-year-old Emirati – elected to motorsport’s biggest job in December 2021 – vehemently denied claims of misogyny and said he had been the target of an “inhumane” smear campaign.
Ben Sulayem also compared Lewis Hamilton’s controversial 2021 Championship defeat to England’s 1966 World Cup final against West Germany following Sir Geoff Hurst’s controversial ‘offside’ goal, as he reiterated his belief that Michael Masi – the man accused of denying Hamilton a record eighth world championship title – could return to the sport.
In January, Ben Sulayem was quoted on an archived version of his old website as saying that he “doesn’t like women who think they are smarter than men, because that’s not true.” At the time, the FIA said the comments, which date back to 2001, “do not reflect the president’s beliefs.”
But addressing the comments personally for the first time, Ben Sulayem told PA: “What did I say when I said it? Let’s assume it was (me). I’ll tell you exactly what it said. It says, “I hate it when women think they’re smarter than us.” But they hate it when men think they are smarter than them.
‘Did I say we’re smarter? No. Did I say they are less smarter? No. For God’s sake, if that’s all they have against me, please be my guest, you could do worse than that.
“People can go back and see what was said, and if I said anything to women. In 117 years of FIA, I am the only president to appoint a female CEO (Natalie Robyn).
“I made the assignment for EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) and hired a woman (adviser Tanya Kutsenko).
“There is disrespect for women when you say that we must have 30 percent female staff. You bring them in based on merit and credibility. And that’s why they are there.
‘Look at Bernie Ecclestone’s wife. (Fabiana Ecclestone, Vice President for Sports in South America). She is one of the most active. They said I brought her in because of Bernie’s support. But Bernie has no connection to any vote. He has no power over them.”
Ben Sulayem made the unprecedented decision to give up day-to-day management of F1 in February after clashing with US owners Liberty Media over the introduction of an 11th team and calling into question the sport’s valuation.
A month later, his son, Saif, died in a road accident in Dubai. In April, further allegations emerged after the Daily Telegraph reported that Shaila-Ann Rao – the FIA’s former interim secretary general for motorsport – wrote a letter to the governing body accusing Ben Sulayem of sexist behavior .
“When we opened a CEO position, Shaila-Ann wanted to be CEO,” continues Ben Sulayem. “I couldn’t get involved. I said, ‘Shaila, you’re doing well, continue the process.’ We had 150 registrations and everyone went through that process.”
Ben Sulayem then takes out his phone and reveals a WhatsApp message he claims is from Rao, thanking him for hosting her at the Italian Grand Prix earlier this season.
He adds: “I don’t want to comment. But that’s from September. Sexism, please! Do they have anything else? Why don’t they come and confront me?”
It is important that you get your money back and that you can make a good choice. It is not good
With HH. Sheikh Khalid Bin Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and HH. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum pic.twitter.com/ogs0FtgkcQ
— Mohammed Ben Sulayem (@Ben_Sulaem) November 26, 2023
Ben Sulayem continues: “The attack on me earlier this year was inhumane, considering the tragedy I experienced. I would love if I did the things I was accused of, you would sit with me, challenge me and confront me. But don’t make things up and throw things at me, and then when I tell you to prove it, you run away and don’t come back. That’s not the way.”
Asked if he was targeted, the former rally driver, who is halfway through his four-year term, said: “Yes. Because I do the right thing.
“Imagine that during my campaign in Europe someone said to me: ‘Never think that we will accept our president of the FIA as an Arab Muslim named Mohammed’.
“I laughed because I knew how to beat him – by winning. But my Christian team was so mad at him. I said, ‘No, please leave it, this is something I expect from them.’ But can we go back to work? And work for the passion we love, which is motorsport, and improve it?”
Ben Sulayem followed Jean Todt five days after Hamilton was sensationally denied a record eighth world title at the 2021 season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Race referee Masi’s failure to imply the correct rules left Hamilton at the mercy of Max Verstappen. The Dutchman took the championship in the desert before quickly claiming two more titles in his all-conquering Red Bull. Hamilton has not won a race since.
A subsequent FIA investigation blamed “human error” for Masi’s removal from office. However, the governing body stopped short of issuing a public apology to Hamilton.
“I always apologize, but I cannot apologize for something that was done before my time,” Ben Sulayem said. “Okay, I’ll apologize, but I’ll take Michael Masi again. Do you think that’s right?
“The poor man is a person who has been attacked and abused. Michael Masi went through hell. Hell! And if I see that there is an opportunity that the FIA needs, and Michael Masi is the right person, I will take him.
“I even had people threaten to kill me because I had the power to change it (the outcome). But I said to them, ‘Sorry, the 1966 World Cup, England versus Germany, was that right? Did they change it? No.’ Did they give it to Germany? No.”