![](\"https:\/\/www.grandprix.com\/display\/photo?photo_caption=Nikita+Mazepin%2C+Russian+GP+2021&photo_copyright=%C2%A9+Haas&photo_url=https%3A%2F%2Fphotos.grandprix.com%2Fjpeg%2Fraces%2Fprus21%2Fsun%2Fhas%2Fmazepin1-lg.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nNikita Mazepin, Russian GP 2021
\u00a9 Haas<\/p>\n
Speaking to Sweden’s Expressen, the controversial head of F1’s governing body said the 2022 cancellation at the outbreak of the Ukraine war was a commercial decision made by FOM, Formula 1’s Liberty Media-owned rights holder.<\/p>\n
To be clear, it was FOM that made that decision, Ben Sulayem said. There was pressure on the FIA to flag and stop racing in Russia but I said I will not break the rules for anyone.<\/p>\n
Asked if a return could be possible one day, he answered: “There is a difference between the commercial part of Formula 1 and motorsport. And we have to follow the guidelines of the Olympic Committee, we respect them. But let’s hope. <\/p>\n
Do you think the war will last forever? I hope not. There are many lives at stake, from both sides. I hate war, it’s that simple.<\/p>\n
The Emirati, who is facing an election challenge for the FIA presidency, warned against turning F1 into a money machine.<\/p>\n
No, it’s not just about sport, it’s also entertainment and a business. But it can’t continue if it’s just going to be a money machine. Then you lose the soul of the sport. That would be the beginning of the end, he said.<\/p>\n
Ben Sulayem has often clashed with the current ten teams, but also F1’s commercial side, led by CEO Stefano Domenicali. While Domenicali recently ruled out room for a 12th team, Ben Sulayem says he will not shy away from fighting again after the Andretti-Cadillac saga.<\/p>\n
The FIA did it and I had to take all the beatings. Am I willing to take the beatings again? Yes, if it’s for the right reason, he said. <\/p>\n
Do we need another team? No. We need the right team. It’s not about quantity, it’s about quality. But it would make things very interesting.<\/p>\n
He also warned against excessive politicisation when choosing race hosts. If we think like this every time we have to choose a country, we won’t go there because of this or that, then maybe we should just come back here to Sweden, and we can have everything, Ben Sulayem smiled.<\/p>\n
We don’t mix religion and politics. For us, it’s about people and motorsport. But we would never take our people to places that are not safe.<\/p>\n
Finally, Ben Sulayem lashed the British press for orchestrating brutal attacks against him.<\/p>\n
Sadly, it’s not always people hiding behind screens, sometimes it’s journalists who want to sell more newspapers, he said. “I’ve never seen anyone more brutal than the British media. <\/p>\n
They’re so proud and say ‘ah, we’re so powerful that we managed to get our Prime Minister removed’. Is that really a success? A country without a Prime Minister for a long time is not good. It’s about the best interests of the people.<\/p>\n
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