Ben Sulayem had defended former Mercedes-linked FIA lawyer
Mohammed Ben Sulayem had backed Shaila-Ann Rao - the former Mercedes-linked Formula 1 lawyer who was FIA interim secretary-general - prior to her departure from the governing body that was announced five days ago.
Rao had joined the FIA from Mercedes - where she has worked closely with team boss Toto Wolff in both head of legal and in advisory capacities.
Initially joining as director in the office of the president, Rao later became replacement for Pet er Bayer - the previous secretary-general for sport.
Crucially, her latter appointment was in an interim role.
Her tenure was seen as controversial by some over perceived close links to Mercedes - with Red Bull's Christian Horner pointing out in Canada how 'one team' had arrived in Montreal with new parts in response to the FIA's attempts to combat porpoising before the relevant technical directive was published.
However, speaking at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - while Rao was still in post as I-SG - President ...