FIA ethics committee looking at claim Mohammed Ben Sulayem made it clear a penalty handed out to Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso at last year’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix should have been revoked; Alonso dropped to fourth in the race but had his podium place reinstated after a review
Image: FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is reportedly under investigation for allegedly interfering with a Formula 1 race last year
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is under investigation for allegedly interfering with a Formula 1 race last year, multiple sources have told Sky Sports News.
As first reported by the BBC, an FIA ethics committee investigation has been looking at a claim Ben Sulayem made it clear that a penalty handed out to Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso at last year’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix should be revoked.
Sky Sports News has contacted the FIA for comment.
The 10-second penalty handed out to the Spanish driver meant he dropped to fourth place from third in the race behind Red Bull drivers Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen, and also Mercedes’ George Russell.
Alonso’s penalty was removed after Aston Martin successfully argued the team’s case to race stewards.
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Image: Alonso was demoted to fourth at the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix before having his penalty overturned
What happened at last year’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix?
Alonso, who started the race in P2 and led for the first four laps after overtaking pole-sitter Perez, was given a five-second time penalty for an incorrect start position after lining up too far to the left of his grid box.
The Spaniard served the penalty under a Safety Car when his team-mate Lance Stroll broke down on the 19th lap but was then later hit with a further 10-second penalty.
That was because stewards deemed the pit crew broke the rules by working on his car before the initial five-second penalty had elapsed, with the rear jack in contact with his AMR23.
Alonso was only handed the penalty after the race and celebrations had been completed, prompting him to call the decision a “poor show” from the FIA.
Aston Martin appealed the decision and received a right to review on the basis that there had been seven previous examples of a jack touching a car while a penalty was being served that had not been punished.
The stewards subsequently reversed their decision the following morning.
At the time, there was no suggestion there was anything untoward.
Sky Sports F1’s Saudi Arabian GP schedule
Wednesday March 6
- 2.30pm: Drivers’ Press Conference
Thursday March 7
- 9.50am: F2 Practice
- 10.50am: F1 Academy Practice
- 1pm: Saudi Arabian GP Practice One (session starts at 1.30pm)
- 2.55pm: F2 Qualifying
- 4.45pm: Saudi Arabian GP Practice Two (session starts at 5pm)
- 6.15pm: F1 Academy Qualifying
- 7.15pm: The F1 Show
Friday March 8
- 11.55am: F1 Academy Race 1
- 1.10pm: Saudi Arabian GP Practice Three (session starts at 1.30pm)
- 3.05pm: F2 Sprint Race
- 4.10pm: Saudi Arabian GP Qualifying build-up
- 5pm: SAUDI ARABIAN GP QUALIFYING
Saturday March 9
- 12pm: F1 Academy Race 2
- 1.20pm: F2 Feature Race
- 3.30pm: Saudi Arabian GP build-up: Grand Prix Saturday
- 5pm: THE SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX
- 7pm: Saudi Arabian GP reaction: Chequered flag
- 9.30pm: Saudi Arabian GP highlights
Watch the second round of the new F1 season – the Saudi Arabian GP – live on Sky Sports F1 this coming week, with practice on Thursday, qualifying on Friday and the race at 5pm on Saturday.
Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight showdown with Francis Ngannou takes place on Friday March 8, live on Sky Sports Box Office with the main event expected around 11pm. Book Joshua v Ngannou now!
Sourse: skysports.com
