Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Twenty-nine member clubs of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) from the MENA region have added their support behind the re-election of the Formula One body president Mohammed ben Sulayem. The clubs have written in a joint letter of support to Ben Sulayem, saying that his tenure “has brought vital reforms across mobility and motorsport, marked by enhanced transparency, governance, sustainability and inclusivity.”
Backing him for a second term in office, they added, “Your vision has helped bridge gaps, inspire unity and empower regions like ours to contribute more meaningfully to the global FIA mission. We now feel equal as members of the FIA, regardless of our size or location. We are proud to stand behind a leader from our region who has shown integrity, innovation and courage in driving positive change on the world stage.”
Among the senior regional officials to sign the letter were Kuwait’s Essa Al Failakawi as the MENA FIA Vice President Mobility and Bahrain’s Abdulla bin Issa Al Khalifa as FIA Vice President for Sport for the MENA region.
This follows the very powerful endorsement in an earlier letter of support from 36 member clubs across the Americas. The Emirati and former rally driver is now in pole position against his main contender Carlos Sainz, former F1 driver and father of the current Williams driver Sainz Jr, when the election is held on December 12 in Uzbekistan.
Expressing gratitude to the leaders from the Middle East and the remainder of Africa for their support, Ben Sulayem said, “This support holds special meaning for me, given my close connection to the region. I’ve seen first-hand... the work being done by clubs in both sport and mobility across the region reflects the core values of the FIA. Together, we will continue to shape a stronger, more dynamic FIA.”
Verstappen Close to BanMeanwhile, in Barcelona, the season leader Oscar Piastri won the Spanish Grand Prix from pole position in a McLaren one-two with Lando Norris on Sunday while Max Verstappen was demoted from fifth to 10th after a late collision with George Russell’s Mercedes.
Piastri beat teammate and title rival Norris by 2.471 seconds for his fifth win in nine races this season, and McLaren’s seventh, to stretch his championship lead to 10 points.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc completed the podium after passing Verstappen’s Red Bull six laps from the end of a race that saved the drama to the end. Verstappen, who made four stops in total and ended up fighting on the slower hard tyres against rivals with softs, collided with Leclerc and then twice with Russell after a safety car restart with six laps to go.
“I’ve seen those sort of manoeuvres before on simulator games and go-karting but never in F1,” said Russell of the four-times world champion Verstappen. “I don’t really know what was going through his mind.”
Nico Rosberg, Mercedes 2016 world champion and now commentator, said Verstappen should have been black-flagged for what looked to him like intentional retaliation for the earlier contact. The driver was also given three penalty points to take his total tally to 11 for the 12-month period – one short of a one-race ban.
“I tried to push him to the left, there was a bit of contact but fortunately no consequences,” said Leclerc. Verstappen claimed the Monegasque had rammed into him and should have given back the place.
