The new FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem wants to make the premier class of motorsport fit for the future. Among other things, he thinks aloud about more sprint races. Now Ben Sulayem has resisted accusations that he was demanding more money for the additional races.
A total of three sprint races will take place in the 2022 season. Plans that six of these should take place in the future have long been in the drawers of Formula 1 planners.
Six races were originally planned for the current season, but there was no majority in the commission. For cost reasons, there were three sprints on the program in Imola, Spielberg and Sao Paulo. Sprint races should provide more spectacle in Formula 1, as the race weekend will be supplemented by another highlight according to the organizers.
The fact that no agreement could initially be reached on the increase is said to have been due to FIA President Ben Sulayem demanding more money. He now defended himself against the “Daily Mail” and explained that you just need a little more time to make a decision.
“I support the races if it’s the right thing. I’m not saying it’s the wrong thing. I’m just saying there’s still time to make a decision. The races are for 2023, not this season. Our house is standing not on fire,” said the FIA boss.
Ben Sulayem also pointed out that he was not the only one to decide: “Formula 1 has a voice, the teams have a voice, I have a voice.” He has the right to abstain and to take the time to “study the proposals”. Ben Sulayem continued: “I didn’t ask for more money, but if I had I would have wanted to use it properly – to invest in proper regulation of the sport.”