New FIA Head vows to improve all areas

PARIS • Mohammed Ben Sulayem pledged to help fix Formula One's problems after being elected president of the governing FIA on Friday, but recognised he may also have to punish Lewis Hamilton for breaking the rules by not attending the motor sport's gala awards.

The 60-year-old Emirati replaced Frenchman Jean Todt at the helm after winning an election with 61.62 per cent of the vote, becoming the first non-European to serve as president of the International Automobile Federation.

Ben Sulayem has promised to devote all the time needed to F1, whose season ended in controversy in Abu Dhabi last Sunday after a sudden change to the safety car procedure led to Red Bull's Max Verstappen taking the title on the last lap.

FIA race director Michael Masi has been at the centre of the uproar over the about-turn decision.

While Verstappen's first championship triumph has been ratified after Mercedes opted not to appeal against the result, the FIA has agreed to clarify the rules and review the decision-making process in time for next season.

On the possible changes, Ben Sulayem said: "We have to improve in every aspect. We will look into the rules and make sure that any situation like this that occurs in the future, we will have an instant solution for it."

When asked about the FIA's confidence in Masi, who seemingly took matters into his own hands in Abu Dhabi, he said he would "look into every single matter that can improve the FIA or there is an issue about it" but needed to ascertain what happened in the season finale.

Mercedes are still seething over how Masi "robbed" Hamilton, who had led for most of the race, of a record eighth championship and the Briton is reportedly "disillusioned" with F1.

However, Ben Sulayem warned that does not excuse his no-show at the gala in Paris last Thursday.

F1 rules state "the drivers finishing first, second and third in the championship must be present at the annual FIA Prize Giving ceremony".

It is not clear what punishments the FIA could impose but Ben Sulayem said: "It's easy to be nice to people. And it is cheap to be nice. It's also to motivate people. But definitely, if there is any breach, there is no forgiveness in this.

"We have to be proactive and reactive. I feel it is a time where as a driver, I would be so upset for a while, but time is a factor that will cool. After the holidays and Christmas, in the new year, we will start afresh."

Acknowledging how his appointment is a reflection of increasing influence and involvement of the Gulf nations in F1, Ben Sulayem added: "No one now can come near the Gulf or the Middle East and ignore motor sport."

Saudi Arabia and Qatar made their race debuts last season and the region now has four grands prix, with Abu Dhabi and Bahrain on the calendar since 2004 and 2009 respectively.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS