The FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has sparked fresh controversy following his behaviour at the governing body’s prize gala in Uzbekistan, where he was filmed touching Lando Norris‘s hair for a second time in less than a week. The incident, which follows similar conduct during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, has intensified calls for the president to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with drivers. The repeated nature of these interactions has drawn widespread criticism across Formula 1’s community, raising questions about conduct standards expected from the sport’s most senior official.
Pattern of intrusive behaviour emerges at season finale
The FIA president’s actions in Abu Dhabi marked the beginning of what has become a concerning pattern. In the immediate aftermath of the season-closing race at Yas Marina Circuit, Ben Sulayem repeatedly inserted himself into post-race celebrations, approaching drivers with physical displays of familiarity that many observers deemed inappropriate. The most notable instance occurred in the cooldown room, where television cameras captured him approaching newly-crowned world champion Norris from behind and running his hands through the McLaren driver’s hair uninvited.
Earlier during race day, Ben Sulayem had also embraced Norris following the championship-deciding result, reportedly telling the British driver “I told you so” during what should have been a private moment of triumph. These interactions drew immediate attention on social media platforms, where users questioned the appropriateness of such familiar physical contact between the sport’s regulatory chief and competing drivers.
The Abu Dhabi incidents represented the latest in a series of episodes throughout the season where Ben Sulayem has been accused of seeking excessive attention. During the Miami Grand Prix weekend, the president attempted to position himself prominently in a McLaren team photograph, an action that was widely criticised as an attempt to dominate photo opportunities meant for team personnel.
Prize gala incident reignites debate
Rather than addressing concerns raised by his Abu Dhabi conduct, Ben Sulayem appeared to repeat the behaviour at the FIA prize-giving ceremony in Uzbekistan. Video footage from the formal event shows the president once again touching Norris’s hair during what should have been a dignified occasion celebrating the season’s achievements. The deliberate nature of the action—whether intended as self-aware humour referencing the earlier incident or simply a repeat of questionable conduct—has divided opinion and intensified criticism.
The timing proved particularly unfortunate given Ben Sulayem had just been re-elected as FIA president earlier in the week. That electoral process itself has faced scrutiny over governance procedures and transparency concerns, adding another layer of controversy to his presidency. The combination of disputed election protocols and repeated incidents of inappropriate behaviour has created mounting pressure on Formula 1’s governing structure.
Social media reaction to the Uzbekistan footage proved swift and overwhelmingly negative. Multiple observers characterised the president’s actions as treating a world champion driver like a child or pet, undermining both Norris’s status and the professional dignity expected at such formal occasions. The condemnation cut across different segments of the F1 community, with fans, commentators and observers alike expressing disbelief that the behaviour had been repeated despite the criticism following Abu Dhabi.
Questions of boundaries and professional conduct
The incidents have raised fundamental questions about appropriate boundaries between the FIA presidency and competing drivers. The president’s role requires maintaining impartiality and professional distance from competitors, yet Ben Sulayem’s conduct suggests a desire for personal connection and visibility that many argue conflicts with these responsibilities. His pattern of seeking camera time and physical familiarity with drivers represents a departure from the more reserved approach typically expected of regulatory officials.
Critics note that such behaviour would likely face immediate consequences in most professional sporting environments. The physical contact, particularly the repeated hair-touching without apparent consent, has been described by some observers as potentially constituting inappropriate workplace conduct. The power dynamic between the sport’s regulatory chief and active competitors adds a concerning dimension to interactions that might otherwise be dismissed as merely eccentric.
The controversy also highlights broader governance concerns that have marked Ben Sulayem’s tenure. Throughout 2025, questions have been raised about decision-making processes, regulatory consistency, and the president’s tendency to involve himself directly in matters that might benefit from greater institutional distance. The FIA’s governance structure has faced increasing scrutiny as incidents accumulate.
What this means going forward
The repeated nature of these incidents suggests the criticism following Abu Dhabi has not prompted any change in approach from the FIA president. With Ben Sulayem now secured in his position following re-election, questions arise about what mechanisms exist to address conduct concerns and enforce professional standards at the sport’s highest administrative level. The lack of apparent consequences or course correction may embolden further boundary-crossing behaviour.
For Norris and other drivers, the incidents create an awkward dynamic heading into the 2026 season. Maintaining professional relationships with the FIA remains essential for all competitors, yet the president’s conduct places them in uncomfortable positions where objecting publicly could potentially affect their standing with the governing body. This power imbalance makes the inappropriate nature of the physical contact particularly problematic. The broader Formula 1 community now watches to see whether the mounting criticism will prompt any institutional response or whether such behaviour will simply become an accepted, if uncomfortable, aspect of the current FIA presidency.
