Power Play: FIA Head Allegedly Meddles in Alonso's Saudi GP
Mar.5 - Yet another scandal is breaking out in Formula 1 - this time putting FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem under the spotlight.
According to leading publications including La Repubblica (Italy), L'Equipe (France) and Britain's BBC, the 62-year-old - already the subject of earlier F1 power struggles and accusations - is accused with interfering with the work of Formula 1 stewards.
"The president is alleged to have intervened during the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP to have a penalty imposed on Fernando Alonso removed," La Repubblica reported.
"The (FIA's) ethics committee will rule on the case within a month and a half."
An FIA official is said to have alleged that Ben Sulayem called his Middle Eastern and North African vice-president asking for a penalty imposed on Aramco-sponsored Aston Martin to be withdrawn - resulting in Alonso keeping his podium place.
Aramco, the Saudi state-owned oil company, is also a major sponsor of Formula 1.
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I'm surprised such a matter suddenly came up nearly a year after the relevant race rather than shortly afterwards.