FIA president Ben Sulayem opens up on ‘angry’ call from Aston Martin’s Alonso

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem spoke of the Aston Martin driver’s “furious” outcry, saying he considered Fernando Alonso a “real role model” for young talent.

The 42-year-old has impressed Ben Sulayem, while Alonso has continued to compete at an outstanding level since returning to Formula 1.
He spent some time away from the series in 2019 and 2020 after returning to McLaren.
But the Spaniard hasn’t lost his pace or his passion.
Alonso remains determined to succeed in Formula 1 and has seen the results of his move to Aston Martin this year.
The two-time world champion left Alpine after two years to join Silverstone.
This brings him to seven podiums so far.

Aston Martin’s Alonso surprised FIA president Ben Sulayem at the F1 races.

Aston Martin are Red Bull’s biggest rivals at the start of 2023, with Alonso targeting his first Grand Prix win since May 2013.
No victory was achieved and the team fell down again in the standings.
However, Alonso won six of the first eight Grands Prix.
Of his seven podium finishes this year, three have come in second place in Monaco, Canada and the Netherlands.
Alonso finished third at the Grand Prix in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Miami. His result put him ahead of the US GP, where he finished fourth in the drivers’ standings.

Alonso also enjoyed a short time away from Formula 1. He won the 24 Hours of Daytona and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the second time in 2019.
The Spaniard won the drivers’ title with five race wins in his 2018/19 WEC adventure with Toyota.
Ben Sulayem starts receiving “angry” phone calls from Alonso.

But FIA president Ben Sulayem has been amazed by the fun Alonso has enjoyed since returning to Formula 1. The former Emirates Rally driver believes the 2005 and 2006 champion is a “real role model” for drivers hoping to break into F1 . Alonso also places great importance on sport through his ideas.

But in Formula 1, when things don’t go well, Alonso informs Ben Sulayem. The FIA ​​chief has now revealed how the Spaniard called him to express his feelings.

“Fernando is a true role model for young drivers,” Ben Sulayem told AS.
“He’s been in Formula 1, he’s gone and he’s back and he’s stronger than ever.
It is very complicated. F1 is extreme.
“Not only is he a champion, he’s also smart.
I’m not saying there aren’t others, but Fernando is a true intellectual champion who is good for the sport.
When he gets angry, he calls me.
“Boss! President!”. And utters a few expletives.
“But we are pilots, so we understand their frustration. He is very good at this sport, he speaks well, he has good ideas and he is very interested in sports.
“Besides his speed and the improvement he brings to the team, he is an undeniable player.”