Not President Sulayem's proudest moment

FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem enjoyed for several decades a successful career in rallying, establishing himself as a leading motorsport figure in the Middle-East.

But back in 2009, the former Emirati drivers' attempt to master an F1 car ended with a painful bang.

Sulayem had been called upon by Renault to demo an R28 at a roadshow that took place at the Dubai Autodrome.

But the then president of the UAE automobile club lost it almost immediately as he accelerated away, the R28 veering right on the straight and crashing into a concrete barrier, its unfortunate driver emerging unscathed from the wreck but considerably shaken and embarrassed.

Every man to his trade…