Sir Lewis Hamilton may face consequences for missing Formula One’s end-of-season gala in Paris.
The Mercedes driver, who was knighted earlier this week, could not attend because in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Max Verstappen pipped him to the world title in the most bitter of fashions.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem informed reporters that he will devote all of his attention to Formula One, whose season came to a halt in Abu Dhabi last Sunday when a modification in the safety car system resulted in Red Bull’s Max Verstappen winning the championship on the final lap.
After winning an election with 61.62 percent of the vote, the 60-year-old took over as president from Jean Todt.
The issue has centered on FIA race director Michael Masi, with Mercedes team manager Toto Wolff claiming that the Australian had ‘robbed’ Hamilton of a record eighth title.
The governing body has decided to revise the decision-making process and clarify the rules.
Hamilton, the sport’s most successful driver of all time and badly affected by the outcome after leading until seven corners from the end, did not attend Thursday night’s gala awards ceremony– a requirement for the championship’s top three.
“If there is any breach, there is no forgiveness on this,” said Ben Sulayem, while also recognising that rules could always be improved and saying he wanted to make a fresh start.
“We have to improve in every aspect,” he said.
“We will look into the rules and make sure that any situation like this that occurs in the future we will have an instant solution for it,” he added
Asked about the FIA’s confidence in Masi, he said he would “look into every single matter that can improve the FIA or there is an issue about it” but needed to fully inform himself first.