Full Breakdown
FIA President Ben Sulayem Talks ADUO Process and Fernando Alonso
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
During a recent conversation with Fernando Alonso, FIA president Ben Sulayem expressed sympathy for the Spanish driver’s recent struggles and asked what changes could help improve his results. Sulayem referenced a May-time legal action that allowed Alonso’s team to pursue additional development, and he indicated a willingness to listen to the driver’s suggestions for future upgrades. The discussion centered on the sport’s Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system, which permits power-unit manufacturers that are more than 2 % behind the leading engine to introduce design improvements.
Background & Context
The ADUO mechanism was introduced to give lagging teams a chance to close performance gaps without compromising the sport’s competitive balance. Sulayem’s tenure as FIA president has been marked by criticism over perceived reductions in governance checks and balances, raising questions about the extent of his influence over technical regulations and team-level decisions.
Official Statements & Responses
The spokesperson cautioned against reading the comments as an indication that Sulayem would intervene beyond his official remit, emphasizing that the FIA’s role remains to administer regulations independently and objectively.
Verbatim Quotes
- “ Pressed on the fact that Ben Sulayem appeared to be suggesting he could intervene to make changes in a way that could be considered as overreaching his position as leader of an organisation that has a role to independently and objectively administer, the spokesperson said: "He is passionate about the drivers, having been one himself, and I really would not read too much into this.” — the spokesperson
