Ben Sulayem: I asked FOM what I did wrong in the first few years

Not long ago, Ben Sulayem regularly irked them. And they have not always seen eye-to-eye with the FIA chief's assertion that F1 was overvalued and also rubber-stamping the General Motors-backed Andretti's bid to be F1's 11th team. As well as questioning the role of Susie Wolff within FOM, which is led by CEO Stefano Domenicali.

But that appears to be water under the bridge, according to Ben Sulayem, who told Motorsport-Total: "The FOM now understands the role of the FIA. They understand the FIA's task. I don't know what the problem was before.

"For two and a half years, I have been asking where the problems lie. I also honestly asked what I did wrong in the first few years," added Ben Sulayem. "I don't take a cent from the FIA for myself, so what's the problem if I want better equipment and resources to improve the sport?"

The FIA is still the owner and the governing body of Formula 1, but the commercial rights (aka TV) to the F1 world championship have only been leased by the FIA to the FOM thanks to a deal struck by Bernie Ecclestone in the early nineties when his mate Max Mosley was FIA President at the time.

The very valuable rights have since been passed on through various owners, making the likes of Ecclestone filthy rich. Now, with Liberty Media custodians, Ben Sulayem is adamant he does not want friction: "All this talk about separation, my God, can't we be more grown up? That's not going to happen. FOM has understood that this ship does not need any more rough waves.

"We have our differences, but I will not cross the line and say, 'I want the commercial rights. Never.' But there are things that people need to understand. What do we need? We need to act on an equal footing," explained Ben Sulayem, with reference to the importance of the FIA in creating and governing F1 rules that make for close racing and a level playing field.

The FIA President pointed out: "You can see how important the car is in Formula 1. As soon as the Red Bull is no longer the dominant car, Max Verstappen no longer wins."

In closing, Ben Sulayem declared that hostilities are over and that FIA and FOM are no longer at loggerheads: "We work well with the FOM; I work well with Greg Maffei and Stefano Domenicali. We are in regular contact.

"It has gotten much better. Before, there were no joint strategy meetings, but now there are. I am pleased that this improves the relationship and the sport. It is good for everyone," revealed the FIA chief.