FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem firmly responded to Formula 1 drivers' inquiries about internal FIA matters, stating that such affairs are "none of their business."

The controversy arose after drivers, through the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA), sought transparency about the allocation of their monetary fines for three years without response. The situation intensified following the departures of senior steward Tim Mayer and F2 deputy race director Janette Tan.

George Russell expressed concerns about the FIA's internal changes, stating, "We'd love to get a little bit of clarity and understanding of what's going on and who's getting fired next."

Ben Sulayem responded definitively to Reuters: "Do we have to tell them? When something in the teams changes, do they tell us? We have the rules, we follow our rules." He advised drivers to "concentrate on what they do best, which is race."

The situation has gained additional scrutiny following a report in The Times alleging that two members of the FIA's audit committee were dismissed after raising concerns about Ben Sulayem's proposed "President's development fund." The fund would allegedly redirect his $1.5 million FIA entitlement to member clubs who will vote in his re-election campaign next year. Committee chairman Bertrand Badré and member Tom Purves were reportedly removed after questioning this plan.

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