Formula One drivers are frustrated and losing faith in the sport's governing body, the FIA, and its president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, after their collective criticism in a public statement went unanswered. The drivers had called for dialogue to address their concerns, but the FIA has remained silent since the statement was issued two weeks ago. This weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix marks the first meeting since the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) released their statement, which was a harsh critique of the FIA and Ben Sulayem, urging them to stop treating the 20 drivers on the grid like children.

The statement addressed the recent controversy over swearing, criticized the 'tone and language' used by Ben Sulayem in response to the swearing, and questioned the financial transparency of the FIA regarding how fines were utilized. George Russell, a Mercedes driver and chair of the GPDA, expressed blunt disappointment at the lack of response from the FIA when asked about their confidence in the governing body's leadership in Las Vegas.

Russell stated, 'I'm not too sure, to be honest. If we feel we are being listened to and some of the changes we are requesting are implemented, because we are only doing it for the benefit of the sport, then maybe our confidence will increase. There are a number of drivers who feel fed up with the whole situation and it only seems to be going, to a degree, in the wrong direction.' His teammate Lewis Hamilton echoed these sentiments, insisting that the FIA was failing to engage properly.

The GPDA's critique was the first public statement of its kind issued by the drivers in seven years, a move they felt was necessary because they believed they were not being heard by the FIA and specifically Ben Sulayem, who has been involved in several controversies since taking office in December 2021. Russell also suggested that Ben Sulayem had not met promises made during his election campaign regarding transparency in the use of fine funds.

The FIA has yet to comment on the GPDA statement or Russell's remarks in Las Vegas. The championship could be decided in Saturday night's race on the streets of the city, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen potentially clinching his fourth consecutive title if he finishes ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris. Norris must outscore Verstappen by at least three points to extend the competition to the next round in Qatar.

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