As the President of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has had his fair share of privileges. With a successful background in rally driving, having won the Middle East Championship 14 times, he’s no stranger to the thrill of racing. Recently, he took advantage of his position to combine his presence at the F1 test with a unique driving experience, courtesy of Ford.
Ben Sulayem got behind the wheel of Carlos Sainz’s car, a Dakar Fordor, one of the most spectacular prototypes in Rally-Raid. This wasn’t just a joyride; it was an opportunity for him to relive his passion for racing. After the conclusion of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, where the Americans faced a setback with their leader, Mattias Ekström, retiring due to illness, Ben Sulayem was able to slip back into his racing gear and enjoy the thrill of driving the Dakar Fordor.
Very loose at the wheel
The President of the FIA took over the seat of the Raptor T1+ from American Mitch Guthrie, who had an impressive fifth-place finish in both the Dakar and Abu Dhabi challenges. As seen in the video, Ben Sulayem wasn’t holding back when it came to pushing the car’s potential in the challenging terrain of dunes and camel grass. For a moment, he seemed to emulate one of his idols, Carlos Sainz.
The experience was undoubtedly exhilarating, judging by the smile on his face when he stepped out of the car. “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to drive it,” he said, “when I finished, I just thought about taking another round.” The thrill of driving the Ford Raptor T1+, a car that represents the cutting edge of rally technology, was clearly addictive. Ben Sulayem’s enthusiasm is a testament to the enduring allure of racing, a passion that transcends positions and titles, speaking to the very heart of what drives individuals like him to pursue speed and competition.