Luca Cordero di Montezemolo has taken a clear stance against the International Federation and its president, Ben Sulayem — and here’s the gesture that says it all.
A gesture worth more than a thousand words: during the starting grid of the Bahrain Grand Prix, the fourth round of the 2025 Formula 1 season, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo made his return to the paddock after eleven years away. Many team members were eager to greet him and have a chat, with the former Ferrari president appearing on almost every major broadcast across key countries.
But it wasn’t just his presence or interviews that made headlines: Montezemolo publicly rejected a handshake from FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem, stunning those present on the grid — and the cameras too.
The moment, which went unnoticed during the live broadcast, was later revealed through footage aired by V Sport and quickly made the rounds in the paddock. A historic figure of the Prancing Horse and a deep connoisseur of Formula 1, Montezemolo thus chose to visibly express his disagreement with the current management of the FIA.
VIDEO – MONTEZEMOLO VS FIA, THE GESTURE TO BEN SULAYEM
Montezemolo has not issued further statements, but his gesture was loud and clear: while Formula 1 continues to grow and evolve, the Federation and its president are facing increasing criticism — both from insiders and fans alike.
Photo: Luke Smith, Scuderia Ferrari HP
