FIA president explains why Azerbaijan not excluded from F1 Schedule

President of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) Mohammed Ben Sulayem explained why Azerbaijan was not excluded from the Formula 1 Schedule amid the military conflict with Armenia and was not deprived of the right to host the award ceremony in December 2023.

“We must remain neutral in both religion and politics. That’s what our charter says. I didn’t invent these rules, but they must be observed. Otherwise, what’s the point of them? We’ll just make fools of ourselves.

I understand what is happening [between Azerbaijan and Armenia]. But, at the same time, we can name at least 20 countries where military conflicts are currently taking place. After all, who am I to judge who is right and who is to blame? Who are you to judge?” Sulayem said.