Verstappen won't be punished - but FIA chiefs 'open' to helping Red Bull rivals

19 October 2023 , 17:20

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The FIA won't punish Max Verstappen for his success in 2023 (Image: HOCH ZWEI/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)

Mohammed ben Sulayem would welcome a "democratic" way to level the Formula 1 playing field amid Red Bull's dominance.

But the FIA chief is adamant that he will not punish the team or Max Verstappen for their success this year. With five full race weekends still to go in 2023, both titles have already been secured by the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

Red Bull had a quicker car than anyone else from the get-go and have made the most of their advantage. But the lack of any title intrigue this year has sparked some suggestions that it could be harmful to F1's popularity to have so little competition at its pinnacle.

FIA president Ben Sulayem hinted that he too would prefer to see a much closer title fight. But he is absolutely clear about what he will no allow to happen as a result of any efforts to make that a reality.

"[Domination] has happened so many times – just look at Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. How to stop it? It's a bit harsh and not right to go and punish success.

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"I'm open for suggestions if you think that there is a way to be fair and to be democratic and not to just punish Max and his team or any other team. We're all ears here, really. But I'm stuck like you. There's no way that the FIA will punish success, and [dominance] has happened before twice in my time."

The other big topic that Ben Sulayem has spent a lot of time talking about in recent weeks is what the F1 grid is going to look like going forward. His organisation approved the potential entry of an 11th team in the form of Andretti Global's joint venture with General Motors, but a new entrant still requires F1 approval.

The FIA president's view of the future of the sport is of an increase in the number of teams and a reduced number of races. A record-breaking 24-race calendar is planned for 2024 which, if Ben Sulayem had his way, would not be happening.

"We are allowed to have 12 teams," he said. "Some of the teams said, 'Oh, it will be crowded'. Really? We are already running a Hollywood team with us. The circuits are supposed to have enough garages and space for 12 teams.

"I think the number of races is too much [rather] than the number of teams. We need more teams and fewer races. The teams are looking at the piece of cake [financial concerns]. I understand their worries but our worries are different."

Daniel Moxon