Ben Sulayem: 'Not acceptable' for Alonso to retire in misery

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has intervened in Fernando Alonso's future, declaring it 'not acceptable' for the two-time champion to retire amid Aston Martin's performance slump. Speaking in Madrid ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, he said he won't allow Alonso to leave under such circumstances.

Why it matters:

Ben Sulayem's intervention raises questions about the FIA's role as a neutral regulator. By meeting with team owner Lawrence Stroll and claiming to have helped Aston Martin legally on the engine front, he is blurring the lines between governance and team support. For Alonso, it underscores how his final season is being shaped by forces beyond his control.

The details:

• Ben Sulayem spoke at the New Economy Forum, less than 24 hours after Alonso said there would be no news on his future beyond his current contract, which expires at the end of the season.
• He revealed he met Lawrence Stroll and intends to talk to Alonso directly: 'I am going to do the changes and I will talk to him to try to make him change his mind.'
• He described seeing Alonso 'very sad' at his home race, saying it's unacceptable for a two-time world champion to be at the back.
• He also claimed the FIA 'did something earlier in May, legally, for the team, towards the engine, to go and improve' — a comment that raises eyebrows about the governing body's impartiality.
• Ben Sulayem said he asked Alonso to tell him what he wants to improve results, and hinted at late-night lobbying to keep him on the grid.

What's next:

Alonso has given no indication he's ready to reverse course, and Aston Martin's recovery is far from guaranteed. Whether Ben Sulayem's personal crusade changes anything remains to be seen — but the FIA president has made it clear he will not stand by while Alonso fades away.