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FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has defend ed Shaila-Ann Rao – the former Mercedes Formula 1 lawyer – after she left her position at the governing body. Rao left her post as Interim Secretary General earlier this week after the end of the season, having been appointed earlier in 2022. Her appointment was controversial following time spent as assistant to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, with Red Bull's Christian Horner questioning how Mercedes became aware of technical changes and the cost cap breach before they were publicly released. However, Ben Sulayem has strongly defend ed Rao after her departure. Viewed by others: Interview Max Verstappen Verstappen exclusive: It's like a marriage with race engineer Lambiase ...

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 ...

Former F1 World Champion Damon Hill has hailed Fernando Alonso 's intelligence , saying the Spaniard would make a great team boss once he hangs up his helmet. Hill was discussing an incident after the second restart of the Australian Grand Prix on Lap 56, where Alonso, who had lined up third on the grid for the restart, lost several places after being tipped into a spin at Turn 2 by Carlos Sainz. With several other cars coming into contact with each other at the same corner, the race was red-flagged for a third time. There was confusion over what the running order should be for the resultant final lap run to the chequered flag behind the Safety Car. While some suggested that the cars should line up in the order they were in when the final red flag was thrown, Alonso immediately radioed his Aston Martin team to suggest that the order should instead be taken from the grid at the restart, using a precedent set at the 2022 British Grand Prix. Ultimately, it was decreed t...