FIA president details Max Verstappen relationship after swearing conflict

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has insisted his relationship with Max Verstappen is "as good as any" of the other drivers in F1.

In the past, Verstappen has not seen eye to eye with several of Ben Sulayem's decisions. The four-time F1 champion particularly fell foul of a new ruling on swearing over last year's Singapore Grand Prix weekend that earned him a 'community service' sanction.

Verstappen has often made his feelings clear over the direction F1 is heading under Ben Sulayem, who now faces a challenge to his presidency after former chief steward Tim Mayer announced his decision to stand against the Emirati in the December elections.

Speaking at a select media briefing at Silverstone on Sunday, which included RacingNews365, Ben Sulayem stated that all the drivers have his number and can contact him at any time on any matter they wish to discuss.

Specifically asked to assess his relationship with Verstappen, Ben Sulayem replied: "As good as any relationship.

"He's a champion, a young champion, so he's hungry, smart, and he really wants to win. It's the same with the McLaren drivers, Lando [Norris], Oscar [Piastri], and you have [Charles] Leclerc. All of them are just amazing drivers."

Ben Sulayem particularly praised the maturity of Verstappen and his contemporaries, as well as that of the new batch of drivers.

"They are so mature," said Ben Sulayem. "You can see in their faces how they have evolved. If you go back 10 to 15 years, you wouldn't see their age."

Referencing Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, Ben Sulayem added: "Look at Kimi. When I signed his super licence, look at the age. It's just incredible."