Energy in the F1 Paddock

The atmosphere in the F1 paddock gradually intensifies throughout race week. Thursday’s Media Day kicks off with a fairly quiet scene—mostly team members, drivers, and media wandering through the paddock and entering hospitality areas. However, as the weekend unfolds, the energy builds significantly, peaking just before the Grand Prix starts.

But just two hours before the American Grand Prix began, I found myself in a quiet office on the second floor of the International Automobile Federation’s hospitality space, looking out over the paddock.

This was the office of FIA President Mohamed Ben Sulayem.

With only a couple of hours remaining until the race, he was engaged in a discussion about the future of the sport in the U.S., the upcoming Cadillac F1 team, and his aspirations for another term as FIA president.

F1’s Growth in America

During his tenure, President Ben Sulayem has witnessed significant growth in Formula 1 in the U.S. The Miami Grand Prix joined the calendar in the 2022 season, followed by the debut of the Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023. Additionally, Cadillac is set to enter the grid next year, marking the 11th team.

Just hours ahead of the 2025 U.S. Grand Prix, F1 confirmed that the Austin race will remain on the schedule until at least the 2034 season.

From there, our conversation took off.

“Texas deserves this recognition. It’s a beautiful circuit,” Ben Sulayem remarked.

“If you consider Miami and Las Vegas, Texas is truly a pioneer. It’s essentially the birthplace of F1 in the U.S. Having three long-term events on the calendar is vital. The United States is a powerhouse, and business is thriving. Otherwise, we wouldn’t see this extension,” he added.

Ben Sulayem believes three events are just right for the U.S. But adding Cadillac is significant not only for American growth but also for the overall season length.

“Sure, I think 24 races is a bit much. Honestly, it can be tiring. We’re discussing logistics here, not just for the racers but also for the teams. Fatigue from travel can take a toll,” the FIA president continued.

“While I’m fine with the current number of races, if you ask me, we could definitely use more teams showing interest,” he noted.

He was instrumental in Cadillac’s addition, highlighting the need for American manufacturers on the grid as a vehicle for the sport’s growth in the U.S. market.

“It feels a bit lacking to have three events without an original equipment manufacturer (OEM). It’s crucial to incorporate an OEM. Ford backs Red Bull, and we shouldn’t overlook Haas, but I mean true OEMs,” he said. “Gene Haas provides a strong challenge in F1.”

Ben Sulayem also mentioned the pushback he faced from established teams when advocating for Cadillac to join. Initially, Formula One Management (FOM) rejected the proposal in early 2024 after earlier greenlighting it, but it was later approved in late 2024.

“I sensed significant resistance from the other teams, which I can understand. It’s like, who’s going to share the pie?” he reflected.

“If I were in their position, I’d probably feel the same way.”

He emphasized the bigger picture and the future of the sport, advocating for fairness.

“Yes, certain individuals may benefit, but as a governing body, we must ensure fairness for everyone. If a team appears today and exits in a few years, we’ll have to handle the ramifications in the championship,” he explained.

“Historically, many teams have come and gone, including promoters. Now, we have a strong promoter in Liberty Media, yet teams are sticking around, which is essential for the championship,” he added.

Future Vision for F1

Ben Sulayem’s initial term is concluding, and he is running unopposed for re-election in December. The debate surrounding the process has been active in recent weeks, but he conveyed that while much progress has been made, there’s more work ahead.

When I asked about his vision for a second term, he replied, “We’ve achieved a lot, but there’s plenty more on the horizon.”

“When I arrived at the FIA, we were not just F1.”

“F1 is the pinnacle, but WRC is also significant to me and many others,” he continued, mentioning the World Endurance Championship as well. “A key focus for the future is America.”

He underscored the importance of enhancing the karting market in the U.S. and making it more accessible.

“This isn’t superficial,” he asserted.

“To foster motorsport, one needs accessibility. Accessibility comes from affordability,” he elaborated. “Sure, cars can be pricey, but we need to engage with grassroots karting in America more collaboratively.”

“That’s the barrier I want to dismantle. It’s not about imposing anything. I’m here to enhance and add value. Making karts more affordable globally is one of my aims.”

While the U.S. market is vital for his future plans, he has his sights set on two other regions for motorsport expansion: China and India.

And the reasoning? Well, billions—2.8 billion people, to be exact, which Ben Sulayem pointed out when asked about the significance of these two markets for motorsport.

“China has more manufacturers than anywhere else. How many, you ask? Twenty-seven, which makes it easy to quantify,” he clarified.

Looking forward, he expressed, “It’s about fairness, honesty, and integrity in everything we do.”

“From young drivers to officials, fans to ongoing investments, everyone respects fairness—even if they may not always agree with the outcomes,” he said.

Enhancing the Racing Experience

For years, improving the racing spectacle has been a priority for F1.

This season, with new pit stop requirements at Monaco, there’s attention on enhancing the racing experience in that standout event. The issue of limited overtaking has sparked discussions amongst fans and drivers alike, with George Russell recently voicing his frustration after the American Grand Prix.

Next year, new regulations will be implemented. I asked Ben Sulayem whether these changes could elevate the racing experience.

“We had an older system called MGU-H that was introduced for specific reasons, but the world has evolved concerning what’s best for the environment and for sales. We’re focusing much more on hybrids now,” he began.

“We adapted some regulations in 2022. After dialogue with my team and consultation with others, we realized this was the best course of action for our current engine,” he added.

“Taking into account the existing engine, which is 12 years old, it’s time for fresh innovation. Everything in F1 needs to be new and meet modern challenges.” Under the forthcoming regulations, the weight of cars will decrease by 30 kilograms, which Ben Sulayem believes will benefit both drivers and the sport. He hinted that cars might need to be even more compact in the future.

“Lighter cars are advantageous for both the drivers and for us,” he acknowledged.

He also expressed optimism about a potential return of V8 engines, saying, “I genuinely believe we’ll see a V8 with a hybrid.”

“The FIA’s evolution will happen in 2030, but perhaps we should advance it a year to give manufacturers a few years to adapt to the new changes,” he concluded.

With a background in racing himself, I was curious about President Ben Sulayem’s thoughts on the toughest parts of being a driver. I often ask drivers what challenges they face, so I repeated the query to him, who has more than 60 rally wins under his belt.

His enthusiasm was palpable when he began discussing the craft of racing.

“Never give up,” he stated.

He transitioned to discussing safety and equity.

“Safety and fairness are crucial,” he emphasized.

“While the FIA strives for fairness, we sometimes falter as well. We’re not a flawless federation because, you know, we’re human. It’s inevitable,” he continued, recalling a moment when someone remarked on fan reactions towards the FIA. “I joked, ‘Well, if fans are booing us, that’s a healthy sign!’”

He then likened it to referees or judges in sports, mimicking cheers. “You never see them celebrating, right? So we have to make tough calls, but they are intended to ensure fairness and safety for the drivers.”

He pivoted back to the current generation of drivers and their intelligence.

“Today’s drivers are incredibly savvy and adapt to rapid changes in technology—they’re getting younger too,” he remarked.

As time ran short, I squeezed in one last significant question, which was who he thought might clinch the F1 Drivers’ Championship.

As expected, he sidestepped the query. “I can’t say for sure,” he responded with a grin.

However, he did suggest that the title race would likely remain competitive until the very end of the season.

When I asked if the competition between Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri, and Lando Norris would continue to the final race in Abu Dhabi, he replied, “Yes.”

“Usually, it’s the other way around. In many cases, the Drivers’ Championship often wraps up earlier, with manufacturers extending through the later races,” he noted.

“But that’s not the scenario this time. It’s quite intriguing.”