Formula One’s ruler Mohammed Ben Sulayem claims his enemies tried to destroy him over the proposed introduction of an 11th team – even while he was mourning the death of his son. Ben Sulayem opened an ‘expressions of interest’ process at the beginning of the year and has since approved the American bid. ‘I went through hell,’ said Ben Sulayem, who lost his son Saif, 29, in a road accident in Dubai in March. They abused me to try to break me, just because I opened expressions of interest. We have a contract that allows for 12 teams, don’t forget. Ben Sulayem did not specify who was behind the alleged attacks, but he is thought to be referring, at least in part, to media briefings.

Follow MotorMouth on social media:

• 
• 
• 
•