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New FIA President elected: Mohammed Ben Sulayem


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#751 ArnageWRC

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Posted 01 February 2023 - 12:29

F1 is getting way too big for their boots imo

 

Yes, absolutely! It needs taking down a peg or two......

 

I've heard no complaints from the other series about MBS, just F1; it's always F1......



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#752 pdac

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Posted 01 February 2023 - 12:50

Yes, absolutely! It needs taking down a peg or two......

 

I've heard no complaints from the other series about MBS, just F1; it's always F1......

 

F1 hasn't complained about him either, until his recent statements about the commercial side of things. He crossed a line there.


Edited by pdac, 01 February 2023 - 12:50.


#753 Sterzo

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Posted 01 February 2023 - 12:54

A few pages back, AustinF1 told us of the training programme for stewards and other officials. However, I don't think we've discussed the new structure Mohammed Ben Sulayem has put in place. Nikolas Tombazis has been promoted to single-seater director, with Steve Nielsen (ex-various teams) reporting to him and taking control of all F1 sporting matters, such as race control and sporting regulations.

 

We've said before that the FIA president doesn't spend all his time on these matters, so who does? Well, now there is someone in place to focus on them.

 

Coincidentally, Niels Wittich will be the only race director this year, but will mentor others with the aim of sharing the role again, and also mentoring stewards.

 

It all looks like a classic case of identifying the problem and addressing it directly, rather than faffing around doing something else to hide it. (Of which there is a long and inglorious tradition).

 

https://www.autospor...cture/10421983/



#754 absinthedude

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Posted 02 February 2023 - 09:31

I'm definitely liking a lot of what is happening under MBS' watch. Putting people in place to deal personally with things the FIA President doesn't have time to do himself, rather than hiding behind as @Sterzo says. The stewards training programme. He's also identified a huge hole in the FIA finances and taken steps to plug it. Seems to actually be getting some longstanding things done. 

 

I do not like the new rules regarding driver's having opinions and voicing them. There are other question marks. But overall I'm still cautiously optimistic. And I'm very sceptical of those who are dredging up old stories about things he said decades ago.....what have *they* got to lose by the FIA getting it's house in order?



#755 pRy

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Posted 02 February 2023 - 18:35

Sounds like his time in charge may be short lived.

"Everyone thinks he's got to go," said one Formula 1 team boss, on condition of anonymity. "That is definitely the general view."


https://www.bbc.co.u...rmula1/64501890

#756 absinthedude

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Posted 02 February 2023 - 19:32

Sounds like his time in charge may be short lived.


https://www.bbc.co.u...rmula1/64501890

 

I wonder who the "everyone" mentioned is. 

 

I ask again....who might get upset at the first FIA president in decades who seems to be actually putting the FIA house in order?

 

The F1 teams have adequately demonstrated recently that they are not to be trusted in matters sporting. 



#757 Bloggsworth

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Posted 02 February 2023 - 21:09

The current discontent was entirely predictable - How long before dissafected drivers are scheduled for the hangman's noose?



#758 loki

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Posted 02 February 2023 - 21:23

Sounds like his time in charge may be short lived.


https://www.bbc.co.u...rmula1/64501890

Say the guys that don’t control who runs the FIA.  Benson is also wrong about rights transfer clauses in general. A party may buy FOM but that doesn’t mean the rights automatically follow.  Having a right of refusal to transfer rights is a common clause.  The Saudi’s would likely buy it outright and take the company private.  That’s why a US$4 bil premium above market cap. They may also have a difficult time being transparent in reporting the controlling shareholder finances at least on NASDAQ hence another reason to go private.  Benson is also wrong in that the Saudis could gain control with open shares in the market.  The controlling voting block and board members are held by Malone and Liberty companies and insiders.  

 

Benson is a friendly outlet for the teams.  People aren’t coming out and saying it because they aren’t ready to stand behind their comments.  It’s a trial balloon and political weapon at best.  Except for the sexist comments which shouldn’t be minimized (he should apologize but I wouldn’t expect it) there’s nothing there.  Some players are angry they are being challenged.  Prior to his commenting on the value of FOM no one at Liberty made a peep.



#759 gillesfan76

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Posted 03 February 2023 - 12:18

I dont have a good opinion about (and this isnt helping it either), but that does sound like a very pointed attempt to get him removed

 

https://www.bbc.com/...rmula1/64432277

 

 

Sorry..."an archived website from 2001"?! As in...more than two decades ago?   :eek:

 

People getting in hot-water over tweets from more than a decade ago is ridiculous enough, but a comment from 22 years ago? That truly takes the biscuit. 

 

What an absolutely bizarre non-story. 

 

Is it really a non-story though? 2 decades ago - he was 41 years old at the time. A grown man. The comments were made on his own website. He’s from the UAE, a country and part of a culture that isn’t exactly known for it’s equal treatment of women. He has been involved for a long time in a male dominated sport, one accused of not allowing women an opportunity in.

 

Now I agree with you whole heartedly that none of this means that a person who has incorrect, even boorish views, isn’t capable of changing those views. Everyone deserves that opportunity, no matter how bad their views were previously.

 

But here’s the problem. It’s disappointing and quite telling, that he doesn’t have the decency to come out and publicly decry those views he had, apologise and admit his views at that time was wrong and he has since learnt and changed that. No, instead he sends some PR lackey to come out with some positive PR spin about what he is doing now. The lackey’s statement didn’t even address his views, but instead just toted out page 24 of the outdated PR politician playbook where the politician caught with his pants down doesn’t even bother addressing that his pants were in fact down but rather spins off that he has done so many great things when his pants were up.

 

Ben isn’t a breath of fresh air at the FIA. He’s the same old disgrace that Mosley, Todt and all the rest are. That doesn’t mean that they haven’t done some good, even great things. Of course they have. They’ve done many positive things when their ‘pants were up’, but far too often, in the dark corners, they also do some things without pants, metaphorically speaking anyway, or in the case of Mosley, maybe not.


Edited by gillesfan76, 03 February 2023 - 12:19.


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#760 taran

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Posted 03 February 2023 - 13:12

Is it really a non-story though? 2 decades ago - he was 41 years old at the time. A grown man. The comments were made on his own website. He’s from the UAE, a country and part of a culture that isn’t exactly known for it’s equal treatment of women. He has been involved for a long time in a male dominated sport, one accused of not allowing women an opportunity in.

 

Now I agree with you whole heartedly that none of this means that a person who has incorrect, even boorish views, isn’t capable of changing those views. Everyone deserves that opportunity, no matter how bad their views were previously.

 

But here’s the problem. It’s disappointing and quite telling, that he doesn’t have the decency to come out and publicly decry those views he had, apologise and admit his views at that time was wrong and he has since learnt and changed that. No, instead he sends some PR lackey to come out with some positive PR spin about what he is doing now. The lackey’s statement didn’t even address his views, but instead just toted out page 24 of the outdated PR politician playbook where the politician caught with his pants down doesn’t even bother addressing that his pants were in fact down but rather spins off that he has done so many great things when his pants were up.

 

Ben isn’t a breath of fresh air at the FIA. He’s the same old disgrace that Mosley, Todt and all the rest are. That doesn’t mean that they haven’t done some good, even great things. Of course they have. They’ve done many positive things when their ‘pants were up’, but far too often, in the dark corners, they also do some things without pants, metaphorically speaking anyway, or in the case of Mosley, maybe not.

Or maybe has has seen that there is no point in appeasing certain people.They want their victims to grovel before them before cancelling them. An apology is not enough for these people.

 

We all know certain people are desperately trying to dig up dirt on Ben Sulayem and this is the best they can find?

 

Why dignify the anklebiters with a response? Just take that British politician. Completely butt hurt he is being ignored when he contacted the wrong person in the first place. He should take his whining to Domenicalli as they pick the venues.....



#761 Reynardff

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Posted 04 February 2023 - 01:17

Or maybe has has seen that there is no point in appeasing certain people.They want their victims to grovel before them before cancelling them. An apology is not enough for these people.

 

We all know certain people are desperately trying to dig up dirt on Ben Sulayem and this is the best they can find?

 

Why dignify the anklebiters with a response? Just take that British politician. Completely butt hurt he is being ignored when he contacted the wrong person in the first place. He should take his whining to Domenicalli as they pick the venues.....

Exactly



#762 Ali623

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Posted 08 February 2023 - 12:50

FIA president Ben Sulayem steps back from day-to-day F1 operations
 
The FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has stepped back from the day-to-day running of Formula 1 ahead of the new season.
 
As part of this process, Ben Sulayem informed teams in a letter on Monday that he would be stepping back from hands-on involvement in F1, leaving the day-to-day handling of operations with FIA single seater director Nikolas Tombazis.
 

 

https://www.autospor...tions/10429522/



#763 FLB

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Posted 08 February 2023 - 12:57

 

And as the article says, being a step back from day-to-day operations running was always part of the plan. I can't find it now, but he also said the same thing when he was campaigning. He never had any intentions of being 'hands-on', but sees the role of the FIA Presidency as something to be done from a certain distance.  

 

 

 

“The President’s manifesto clearly set out this plan before he was elected,” an FIA spokesperson told Autosport.

Edited by FLB, 08 February 2023 - 15:03.


#764 FLB

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Posted 08 February 2023 - 13:20

There we go (Found it!) :

 

https://www.motorspo...rsport/6711540/

 

 

 

“The day-to-day management, it's not for the President,” he says. “I don't want to micromanage. I want to be a President, to lead, but to hand the day-to-day to a CEO, who can bring the sport and mobility together.” If elected he and his appointed CEO would put the emphasis on growing participation, with a promise to double the number of participants worldwide in four years.


#765 Sterzo

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Posted 08 February 2023 - 13:39

And as the article says, being a step back from day-to-day operations running was always part of the plan. i can't find it now, but he also said the same thing when he was campaigning. He never had any intentions of being 'hands-on', but sees the role of the FIA Presidency as something to be done from a certain distance.  

And he hasn't simply stepped back at a random moment. He has worked to put in place a new structure, as outlined in post 753, and now that's completed he can take that step back.

 

Contrast with Mosley (hands, feet and other parts of the anatomy on in an unwelcome manner), and Todt (hands off, resulting maybe in inadequate co-ordination of F1).



#766 absinthedude

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Posted 08 February 2023 - 15:07

Mosely said he'd be hands-off with F1 and that he'd limit himself to one or two terms....then went back on both. OK, he probably did need to be hands-on after the fallout from Imola '94 but still....

 

In theory at least, what MBS is doing is perfectly logical. If he's chosen the right people to run F1 for him, and keeps an eye on it so he can intervene if necessary, it's a perfectly viable solution. We must remember the president of the FIA is responsible for a lot more than F1 and other motor racing. What Mosely wanted to do was concentrate on road car safety, and during his watch European and American road car safety did indeed take massive strides forward. 

 

the problem for MBS is that, unlike the moment when Mosely took over, F1 is not being run well. There's also apparently a power struggle between the FIA and FOM/Liberty. Hopefully the people he's put in place are not only the right people for the job but also strong enough to kick ass when needed. I'm strongly of the opinion that unless they understand their place, someone soon needs to open the proverbial can of whoop-ass on the F1 teams. 

 

Regarding digging up dirt on BMS....yes, if that decades old quote is the best they can find then he's safe. Not much point in him making a big response because it's already blown over. While I do find the comments problematic, I'm judging his performance as President of the FIA on what he's achieving now. And so far, it's a cautious thumbs up in most regards. 



#767 Rodaknee

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Posted 09 February 2023 - 03:00

Mohammed Ben Sulayem will continue to pull strings whatever he claims.  I believe he's translated President as Dictator, like Mosley and others did before him.



#768 absinthedude

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Posted 09 February 2023 - 09:20

Mohammed Ben Sulayem will continue to pull strings whatever he claims.  I believe he's translated President as Dictator, like Mosley and others did before him.

 

However, the most interesting thing is that unlike his predecessors MBS has actually put in a management structure beneath him. 

 

Mosely never claimed he wasn't a dictator, he just felt that F1 was running itself pretty well and didn't need his constant attention. His predecessor, the much reviled Jean-Marie Balestre kept picking fights with FOCA for the sake of it, to score political points. F1 actually was running itself pretty well at that time....then  came Imola 1994 and F1 needed the personal attention of the FIA president. It is not really possible to over estimate the media spotlight on F1 at the time. Max had to show that he was taking control. The problem was, he never relinquished it after...say...1996. Balestre was a prejudiced bully, pure and simple. Since then we've had the Ferrari aligned Todt. I don't recall so many issues with Balestre's predecessor unless it was him who resisted better medical care at F1 circuits? My vague recollection is that he was pretty quiet. 

 

MBS will retain the ability to pull strings, but whether and when he chooses to do so will be the vital clue to the nature of his presidency. So far, he's done what he said he'd do. He's also been quite open about the problems within the FIA. The jury is still out, but he's certainly not painting himself in a bad light......for the most part....



#769 BRG

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Posted 09 February 2023 - 10:04

Mohammed Ben Sulayem will continue to pull strings whatever he claims.  I believe he's translated President as Dictator, like Mosley and others did before him.

You don't think the President of the FIA should have any influence on how the organisation is governed?   :rolleyes:

 

Anyone less like the mad El Supremo Mosley is hard to imagine.



#770 gillesfan76

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Posted 09 February 2023 - 15:32

Or maybe has has seen that there is no point in appeasing certain people.They want their victims to grovel before them before cancelling them. An apology is not enough for these people.

 

We all know certain people are desperately trying to dig up dirt on Ben Sulayem and this is the best they can find?

 

Why dignify the anklebiters with a response? Just take that British politician. Completely butt hurt he is being ignored when he contacted the wrong person in the first place. He should take his whining to Domenicalli as they pick the venues.....

 

None of the above actually addresses that he made a seriously misogynistic comment as a fully grown adult and never addressed it personally or directly.

 

He doesn’t need to appease certain people. He doesn’t need to do anything. However he could show to the remaining majority of reasonable people and importantly, his constituents, that he is after all a decent human being that is able to apologise for some thoroughly indecent comments made earlier as a fully grown man and hence show that some old dogs can learn new tricks. Instead he merely showed that some old dogs can’t learn a goddamn thing.



#771 BRG

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Posted 09 February 2023 - 17:02

Woke nonsense.  He made a statement that some people have chosen to misunderstand and dub it as seriously misogynistic in order to allow them to be outraged.  Even if he meant what they are misinterpreting it to mean, it would have been at worse mildly misogynistic.  He doesn't need to apologise to anyone, least of all to the prejudiced mob that judge him and condemn him solely on the basis of his ethnicity.  



#772 pdac

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Posted 09 February 2023 - 17:03

None of the above actually addresses that he made a seriously misogynistic comment as a fully grown adult and never addressed it personally or directly.

 

He doesn’t need to appease certain people. He doesn’t need to do anything. However he could show to the remaining majority of reasonable people and importantly, his constituents, that he is after all a decent human being that is able to apologise for some thoroughly indecent comments made earlier as a fully grown man and hence show that some old dogs can learn new tricks. Instead he merely showed that some old dogs can’t learn a goddamn thing.

 

Maybe he still stands by those comments. Perhaps he feels that it's irrelevant to the job he's doing.



#773 PayasYouRace

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Posted 09 February 2023 - 17:04

I don’t think people are choosing to misunderstand his statement. It was quite clear and a deplorable thing to say. The question is whether he stands by his statement from 20 years ago or if he’s grown as a person.

#774 pdac

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Posted 09 February 2023 - 19:40

I don’t think people are choosing to misunderstand his statement. It was quite clear and a deplorable thing to say. The question is whether he stands by his statement from 20 years ago or if he’s grown as a person.

 

Indeed. But if he chooses not to make a statement on the matter, should be believe that he still stands by it or not? Furthermore, if we assume he still stands by it, what, if any, action should be taken?


Edited by pdac, 09 February 2023 - 19:40.


#775 AustinF1

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Posted 09 February 2023 - 20:01

I wonder who the "everyone" mentioned is. 

 

I ask again....who might get upset at the first FIA president in decades who seems to be actually putting the FIA house in order?

 

The F1 teams have adequately demonstrated recently that they are not to be trusted in matters sporting. 

The same folks who desperately dug up that comment, no doubt. 


Edited by AustinF1, 09 February 2023 - 20:02.


#776 gillesfan76

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Posted 10 February 2023 - 06:31

Woke nonsense.  He made a statement that some people have chosen to misunderstand and dub it as seriously misogynistic in order to allow them to be outraged.  Even if he meant what they are misinterpreting it to mean, it would have been at worse mildly misogynistic.  He doesn't need to apologise to anyone, least of all to the prejudiced mob that judge him and condemn him solely on the basis of his ethnicity.  

 

The quote in question: “…nor do I like women who think they are smarter than men, for they are not in truth.”

 

Let’s unpack. Why is it not in truth? Is it not the case that there are some women who are smarter than some men? If, hypothetically, we measure the IQ of every single person on this earth, is it not plausible that a woman has the highest? Why does it irk him that there are some women that think they are smarter than men in general? Enough for him to specifically comment on that but not the other way around noting that in general it is actually men who overinflate their own perception of ‘smartness’ and it is in fact more men who think they are smarter than women in general. https://theconversat...r-iq-why-178645

 

So while studies have actually shown that in general women have more humility than men, and in general men have more hubris then women, alas our MBS dislikes the proportionally few women who may have less humility and more hubris. Our MBS doesn’t seem to care about the far greater proportion of men with scarce humility and oozing hubris.

 

But since you think I and others have misinterpreted his quote, please do feel free to clarify how you think MBS intended for his quote to be interpreted. Seems to be all too easy to bleat that something has been misinterpreted when called out on it. Otherwise it sounds like Donna Karan who bleated misinterpretation after being called out for defending Harvey Weinstein https://www.cbsnews....rvey-weinstein/

 

I wonder what is the opposite to “woke”. Ignorance, perhaps?


Edited by gillesfan76, 10 February 2023 - 06:41.


#777 AustinF1

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Posted 10 February 2023 - 06:57

The quote in question: “…nor do I like women who think they are smarter than men, for they are not in truth.”

 

Let’s unpack. Why is it not in truth? Is it not the case that there are some women who are smarter than some men? If, hypothetically, we measure the IQ of every single person on this earth, is it not plausible that a woman has the highest? Why does it irk him that there are some women that think they are smarter than men in general? Enough for him to specifically comment on that but not the other way around noting that in general it is actually men who overinflate their own perception of ‘smartness’ and it is in fact more men who think they are smarter than women in general. https://theconversat...r-iq-why-178645

 

So while studies have actually shown that in general women have more humility than men, and in general men have more hubris then women, alas our MBS dislikes the proportionally few women who may have less humility and more hubris. Our MBS doesn’t seem to care about the far greater proportion of men with scarce humility and oozing hubris.

 

But since you think I and others have misinterpreted his quote, please do feel free to clarify how you think MBS intended for his quote to be interpreted. Seems to be all too easy to bleat that something has been misinterpreted when called out on it. Otherwise it sounds like Donna Karan who bleated misinterpretation after being called out for defending Harvey Weinstein https://www.cbsnews....rvey-weinstein/

 

I wonder what is the opposite to “woke”. Ignorance, perhaps?

But he didn't say men are smarter than women, and he also didn't say he doesn't like women who think they are smarter than a man. He said "smarter than men", i.e. 'smarter than all men'. 

 

If a man thought he was smarter than all women, then surely that viewpoint would be looked down on by most women, so why should a man not look down on a woman thinking she's smarter than all men? We've all known women and men who think they're smarter than the entirety of the opposite sex. It's not at all unreasonable to believe that his words here should be taken literally and in such a context, and should not be misinterpreted to mean that MBS doesn't like a woman who thinks she's smarter than a particular man.

 

It's a subtle distinction, but an important one, imho. If we're going to impugn someone over their words of decades ago, then let's not put words into their mouth, and let's deal only with what they actually said.



#778 gillesfan76

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Posted 10 February 2023 - 07:20

But he didn't say men are smarter than women, and he also didn't say he doesn't like women who think they are smarter than a man. He said "smarter than men", i.e. 'smarter than all men'. 

 

If a man thought he was smarter than all women, then surely that viewpoint would be looked down on by most women, so why should a man not look down on a woman thinking she's smarter than all men? We've all known women and men who think they're smarter than the entirety of the opposite sex. It's not at all unreasonable to believe that his words here should be taken literally and in such a context, and should not be misinterpreted to mean that MBS doesn't like a woman who thinks she's smarter than a particular man.

 

It's a subtle distinction, but an important one, imho. If we're going to impugn someone over their words of decades ago, then let's not put words into their mouth, and let's deal only with what they actually said.

 

Yes yes we’ve already established the language is in general. The point is that he’s targeted only one group in his comments. Hint: Not the group that he belongs to  :lol:

 

As I’ve said, why did he feel the need to point out his distaste of such women but not mention any such distaste of men who think they are smarter than women? As I’ve also said, there are a hugely greater proportion of men who think they are smarter than women than the other way around.


Edited by gillesfan76, 10 February 2023 - 07:21.


#779 gillesfan76

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Posted 10 February 2023 - 07:31

Imagine:

- A white man who says “I dislike blacks who think they are smarter than whites. It’s not true”

- A brunette who says “I dislike blondes who think they are smarter than brunettes. It’s not true”

- An anglo-saxon German who says “I dislike Jews who think they are smarter than anglo-saxons. It’s not true”

 

Surprised I have to explain it to this level tbh.


Edited by gillesfan76, 10 February 2023 - 07:32.


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#780 BRG

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Posted 10 February 2023 - 09:46

It's a subtle distinction, but an important one, imho. If we're going to impugn someone over their words of decades ago, then let's not put words into their mouth, and let's deal only with what they actually said.

Thank you.  You have got the point.  

 

Too many people here are judging the man by what they THINK he said or what they THINK he 'really meant' or what they would LIKE him to have said, so that they can attack him.  The usual pre-packaged faux outrage.  The same people profess to deplore bigotry and prejudice, but are exercising just their own prejudice by assuming that an Arab man must be a terrible human being who hates women.  And then look for something to prove their point.

 

It would be instructive to know what was the context of this statement, made so long ago.  



#781 Sterzo

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Posted 10 February 2023 - 10:32

Yes yes we’ve already established the language is in general. The point is that he’s targeted only one group in his comments. Hint: Not the group that he belongs to  :lol:

 

As I’ve said, why did he feel the need to point out his distaste of such women but not mention any such distaste of men who think they are smarter than women? As I’ve also said, there are a hugely greater proportion of men who think they are smarter than women than the other way around.

I don't like what he said, though the context is lacking and his meaning isn't entirely clear. I don't know the full story; neither do you.

 

Missing from your comments is any sense of proportion. How serious is it? You equate it to racism and "mysogyny", defined in my dictionary as "hatred of women". Surely it's unacceptable to accuse someone of that with inadequate evidence?   You effectively join in a campaign to unseat a man from his job, based on almost nothing. There's probably an impolite word for that, too.


Edited by Sterzo, 10 February 2023 - 10:32.


#782 PlatenGlass

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Posted 10 February 2023 - 13:42

I don't know if it's already been posted but here it is from the archive https://web.archive....close_1-new.htm

 

LIKES & DISLIKES    

Mohammed Ben Sulayem is a champion of champions in the world of rally driving. But his likes and dislikes are basically simple.

"I love the desert and I love meeting real people". But he does not like talking "about money, nor do I like women who think they are smarter than men, for they are not in truth".



#783 pdac

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Posted 10 February 2023 - 15:09

Some women ARE smarter than some men. Therefore, if those women say they are smarter they ARE 'in truth'. If someone says they are not, it is that person who is not in truth. Of course, if you're taking the two groups as a whole, is it possible to determine which is the overall smarter group? Indeed, who would decide the criteria for measuring 'smartness'?

 

Perhaps his choice of words was not reflecting exactly what he meant. If so, that's not a very smart thing to do.


Edited by pdac, 10 February 2023 - 15:11.


#784 AustinF1

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Posted 10 February 2023 - 16:39

Thank you.  You have got the point.  

 

Too many people here are judging the man by what they THINK he said or what they THINK he 'really meant' or what they would LIKE him to have said, so that they can attack him.  The usual pre-packaged faux outrage.  The same people profess to deplore bigotry and prejudice, but are exercising just their own prejudice by assuming that an Arab man must be a terrible human being who hates women.  And then look for something to prove their point.

 

It would be instructive to know what was the context of this statement, made so long ago.  

Indeed, and for some reason, it's omitted in every article I can find. Hmm.

 

It reads tro me like he's referring to dating situations, but that's just my gut instinct. Until we have context, it's impossible to know for sure. 

 

So much outrage over so little. What a world.



#785 PlatenGlass

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Posted 10 February 2023 - 16:55

Indeed, and for some reason, it's omitted in every article I can find. Hmm.

It reads tro me like he's referring to dating situations, but that's just my gut instinct. Until we have context, it's impossible to know for sure.

So much outrage over so little. What a world.

You probably won't get any more context than from the archive of his own website, which is where it was found. Linked to a couple of posts up.

#786 AustinF1

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Posted 10 February 2023 - 17:14

You probably won't get any more context than from the archive of his own website, which is where it was found. Linked to a couple of posts up.

Yep. Just saw that. Still no clearer than before, so I'll just fall back on the words he actually said, and interpret them literally.



#787 cbo

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Posted 10 February 2023 - 18:39

"...nor do I like Arabs who think they are smarter than women, for they are not in truth."

I'm sure this innocent remark would not be a problem if spoken by an F1 driver on the podium in Quatar.

#788 jjcale

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Posted 10 February 2023 - 19:24

I don’t think people are choosing to misunderstand his statement. It was quite clear and a deplorable thing to say. The question is whether he stands by his statement from 20 years ago or if he’s grown as a person.

 

Deplorable is too strong a word ... I would say unfortunate. 

 

But otherwise, my view is the same.

 

I would be very surprised if he holds the same view today .... I am sure he has got married or lived with a woman etc in the meantime .... and found that, actually, yes, ... women are smarter than men and will run rings round if you if you are not wary. :p



#789 jjcale

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Posted 10 February 2023 - 19:35

Woke nonsense.  He made a statement that some people have chosen to misunderstand and dub it as seriously misogynistic in order to allow them to be outraged.  Even if he meant what they are misinterpreting it to mean, it would have been at worse mildly misogynistic.  He doesn't need to apologise to anyone, least of all to the prejudiced mob that judge him and condemn him solely on the basis of his ethnicity.  

 

I disagree on this occasion ... it would be good if he took the opportunity to publicly disavow this unfortunate, youthful comment when a convenient opportunity presents itself .... it would show him to be a big and confident person

 

.... no need to retreat to the bunker over minor indiscretions.... just say "sorry" and move on. 

 

He should not stop what he is doing to say sorry - he should do it in passing next time he is in front of a mic or being interviewed - so long as its done in a charming way.

 

.... and he should get himself a publicist.... he is in a high profile job and that kind of help and support is necessary in such a role.... its no shame to make use of the skills and advice of experts. They can help him with getting the words and tone right when he does walk this back. ... He doesnt have to adopt their views of the world - they are professionals who understand that they are there to help craft YOUR message and not theirs. They will respect boundaries.



#790 gillesfan76

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Posted 11 February 2023 - 15:55

He has had the opportunity to clarify this mysterious context. So far he has declined that opportunity. It’s his own fault for making a stupid comment and not clarifying or setting the record straight.

 

His comment on the value of F1 is also batsh*t stupid. He’s fortunate it hasn’t led him into a legal stoush with FOM. I expect it will cost him his job though. Mosley was a piece of work but he was clever. Todt wasn’t a groundbreaker but he wasn’t stupid either. MBS seems like a dolt in comparison. I guess the desert isn’t as complicated as F1, or women for that matter.



#791 FLB

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Posted 11 February 2023 - 16:04

 

His comment on the value of F1 is also batsh*t stupid. He’s fortunate it hasn’t led him into a legal stoush with FOM. I expect it will cost him his job though. Mosley was a piece of work but he was clever. Todt wasn’t a groundbreaker but he wasn’t stupid either. MBS seems like a dolt in comparison. I guess the desert isn’t as complicated as F1, or women for that matter.

 

One of the founding member clubs of the FIA does not have any women as members (the Automobile Club de France). His past comments have been known for more than 20 years.

 

His taking things directly to Liberty (and over the teams) is part of why he was elected in the first place: Analysis: How secure is FIA President Ben Sulayem's position? | RacingNews365 He was very open since even before his election about not wanting to run things day-to-day. Having Tombazis in that position (with F1) fits with what he promised before his election.

 

 

The FIA members, the ones who elected him, are the ones to whom he is beholden.


Edited by FLB, 11 February 2023 - 17:27.


#792 loki

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Posted 11 February 2023 - 20:14

He has had the opportunity to clarify this mysterious context. So far he has declined that opportunity. It’s his own fault for making a stupid comment and not clarifying or setting the record straight.

 

His comment on the value of F1 is also batsh*t stupid. He’s fortunate it hasn’t led him into a legal stoush with FOM. I expect it will cost him his job though. Mosley was a piece of work but he was clever. Todt wasn’t a groundbreaker but he wasn’t stupid either. MBS seems like a dolt in comparison. I guess the desert isn’t as complicated as F1, or women for that matter.

He’s got no exposure legally over saying FWONA/K is overvalued at $20 bil.  Largely because it’s true based on the metrics.  To facilitate a takeover they would have to overpay what the market cap is otherwise it’s not attractive to the current shareholders.  With the market cap at $16 bil many on Wall Street consider the stock overvalued.

 

It shouldn’t be a surprise that he’s made or has sexist opinions on women.  Culturally and historically it’s been that way over there for centuries.  It still is even though places like the Emirates and Saudi Arabia are trying to sports wash it.  In those places women have been subjugated and treated as lessor since the dawn of mankind.  Female equality and inclusivity is not a theme among the ruling class.



#793 gillesfan76

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Posted 12 February 2023 - 16:37

One of the founding member clubs of the FIA does not have any women as members (the Automobile Club de France). His past comments have been known for more than 20 years.

 

His taking things directly to Liberty (and over the teams) is part of why he was elected in the first place: Analysis: How secure is FIA President Ben Sulayem's position? | RacingNews365 He was very open since even before his election about not wanting to run things day-to-day. Having Tombazis in that position (with F1) fits with what he promised before his election.

 

 

The FIA members, the ones who elected him, are the ones to whom he is beholden.

 

That’s a good article, thanks for taking the time to post that. I’m not convinced about MBS but agree that he deserves a chance.