Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, has issued a scathing critique of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem (MBS), warning that his leadership and proposed rule changes could plunge Formula 1 into chaos. Speaking ahead of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on May 18, 2025, Horner described MBS’s management as “too extreme” and predicted “terrible” problems if the FIA continues its current trajectory. His comments, echoed by growing discontent in the paddock, have fueled calls for MBS to resign, as the sport grapples with governance controversies and divisive regulations.
Horner’s criticism centers on MBS’s push for significant rule changes, notably the proposed reintroduction of V10 engines with sustainable fuels for 2026. While Horner initially supported the idea, praising its nostalgic appeal, he now warns of its impracticality. “The V10 concept sounds great, but it’s a logistical nightmare,” he told Sky Sports in Bahrain. “It risks derailing F1’s carbon-neutral goals and inflating costs when teams are already stretched.” He argues the FIA’s focus on such radical shifts ignores practical challenges, like engine development timelines and compatibility with existing chassis designs. Red Bull’s simulations, he noted, show the engines could compromise racing quality, creating “cars that can’t race properly.”
Beyond engine rules, Horner has slammed MBS’s broader governance style. Since taking office in December 2021, MBS has overseen a turbulent period marked by high-profile resignations and allegations of overreach. The departure of deputy president for sport Robert Reid in April 2025, who cited a “governance crisis,” and former CEO Natalie Robyn, who flagged “serious structural challenges,” underscored the FIA’s instability. Horner echoed these concerns, stating, “The FIA needs stability, not extreme decisions that alienate teams and drivers.” He pointed to MBS’s clampdown on driver conduct—fining Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc for swearing—as emblematic of misplaced priorities. “Punishing drivers for passion while ignoring inconsistent stewarding is absurd,” he said.
The paddock’s frustration is palpable. A 2024 petition on Change.org, signed by thousands, accused MBS of undermining F1’s integrity through “alternative interpretations” of rules, allowing teams to exploit loopholes. The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association criticized his handling of swearing fines, while Motorsport UK’s David Richards accused MBS of imposing “gagging orders” on officials. Horner referenced these tensions, noting, “When senior figures are resigning and drivers are united against you, it’s a sign things are broken.” He also highlighted the stalled Concorde Agreement governance terms, calling it “unusual” that only commercial terms were finalized, leaving teams in limbo.
MBS’s tenure has been dogged by controversy. In 2023, he faced allegations of interfering in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix by overturning a penalty on Fernando Alonso and attempting to block the Las Vegas circuit’s certification. Though cleared by the FIA’s ethics committee, these incidents fueled perceptions of favoritism. His 2024 rule changes, tightening penalties for “moral injury” to the FIA, have been criticized as authoritarian, with Horner warning they could “stifle free speech and chill competition.” Posts on X reflect fan outrage, with one user stating, “MBS is turning F1 into a dictatorship. Resign now!”
Despite the backlash, MBS faces no clear challenger in his 2025 re-election bid, a fact Horner finds troubling. “The sport deserves better than unchecked power,” he said, urging the FIA’s General Assembly to reconsider its support. He contrasted the FIA’s turmoil with Formula One Management’s growth under Stefano Domenicali, whose contract extension was widely praised. “F1 is booming, but the FIA’s chaos risks dragging it down,” Horner warned, citing the need for consistent stewarding and transparent governance.
As Imola approaches, the focus should be on McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Verstappen battling for supremacy. Yet, MBS’s shadow looms large. Horner’s blunt call for change resonates with a paddock weary of controversy. “We need a president who unites, not divides,” he concluded. Whether MBS heeds the growing chorus demanding his resignation remains uncertain, but Horner’s warning is clear: without reform, F1’s golden era could be jeopardized by governance failures. The sport’s future hangs in the balance, and Imola may mark a turning point in the fight for its soul.
