FIA President MBS misses the F1 point again – Singapore Up/Down

Back in the heady days of the 2021 FIA Presidential Election, delegates had the choice between several-shades-of-grey-bureacrat Graham Stoker, or a slightly quirky ex-rally driver who had achieved not much of note outside his Emirati home.

Voters plumped for the latter – do they regret that choice now?

Historical mysogynistic views, getting testy over Lewis Hamilton’s jewellery, weighing in on F1’s value, alleged interfering with a race, trying to stop Vegas and now yet another pointless, rather pious crusade.

FIA President ‘Must be Balestre on Steroids’ has taken aim at stopping drivers swearing in their most under-pressure moments – as though they should remember to be holier-than-thou at all times.

Where is the sense in this? Doesn’t motor racing have bigger problems? Must Be Seen is there at every single F1 podium ceremony, but absent elsewhere.

“When we have seen the last time the FIA president [Mohammed Ben Sulayem] on a rally?” asked WRC front-runner Thierry Neuville recently. “I think it was here last year. If I am not wrong. So it’s one year ago. That shows how much they care about us.”

Surely the president should be focused on reinvigorating other forms of motor sport rather than the one which is sucking up all the attention. That would be less glamorous though, of course. There’d be less people to take his photo.

It all seems to be driven by ego. The lack of professionalism compared to reserved Jean Todt, and even the slightly (OK, quite) despotic Max Mosley, must be embarrassing for industry personnel – making now-disgraced former FIFA head Sepp Blatter look reasonable.

It’s all set the drivers off, and quite right…

Going Up – Sticking it to them

After Ben Sulayem’s balmy decree to stop the high-speed curse words, none-more-sweary Max Verstappen proceeded to drop at least one in the F1 press conference, leading the FIA to slap him with a day of community service. Bizarre.

Instead of being a good boy, the Dutchman then went monosyllabic in protest at the next conference before proceeding to hold his own impromptu one outside with fuller answers (and presumably more swear words) for hacks.

Hamilton and Norris supported Verstappen’s unsympathetic stance too. Good to see drivers showing some personality.

To be fair – MBS never even got close to 200mph in his career never mind having the opportunity to swear while doing so. He wouldn’t understand.

Going Up – Lando

After frequently not capitalising on so much potential this year, Norris absolutely obliterated the field from pole. But where were the rest of them?

Going Down – Mass incompetence

Nowhere, apparently. Verstappen undoubtedly drove brilliantly to secure second place. But he sailed into a gap which should have been occupied by at least both Ferraris and Piastri, if not both Mercs too.

Instead the second Macca and both Ferraris fumbled quali, then Merc did similar in the race – meaning the Dutchman was able to limit the damage by consummately finishing second.

Going Up – Big Ricc’s last blast

In what looks to be Daniel Ricciardo’s last race before he gets replaced by the quicker, younger Liam Lawson (makes no sense to us either), RB strapped on a set of soft tyres and allowed the Honey Badger one last bite, going for fastest lap at the very end of the race.

Time for a bit of WEC-ky races with Jota Cadillac and your old mate Tom Brady now Daniel? Not really about fastest laps that championship, mind.

Going Down – Sad Swansong

While Kevin Magnussen is set to get a few more F1 races this year than Ricciardo before he bids F1 farewell, it hasn’t been a great recent run for the Dane.

After his Baku stand-in Ollie Bearman beat Hülkenberg, Magnussen then returned in Singapore to qualify eight places down on his Haas team-mate and then look hopeless in the race.

Looks like K-Mag needs a fresh start in a new series. He did tell us he wants to do IndyCar after all…

Going Up – Stirring the pot

Christian Horner gave Toto Wolff a taste of his own medicine by suggesting George Russell could be on Red Bull’s radar for 2026, after the Merc boss has publicly tried to woo Max Verstappen for so long.

“Christian is always trying to stir s*** up,” replied an indignant Wolff. That’s an instant two week’s community service – in F1 Siberia (Milton Keynes)!

Going Down – Fashion victim

F1 somehow manages to get even more cringe. And we had so much respect for James Hinchcliffe.

Oh no @Hinchtown. I’m speechless…. https://t.co/zkfoRV9vTA

— Alexander Rossi (@AlexanderRossi) September 22, 2024

Going Up – All in a day’s work

Alonso routinely destroyed his boy racer brat team-mate Lance Stroll again at Marina Bay, outqualifying him by ten places before extending his lead in the championship over his colleague once more with an eighth in the race. The difference is stark.

All while Alonso complains the car isn’t fast enough too…