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FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem told The Drive that he owns 160 American cars with V8 engines and favors driving the restomods he helps build. He praised the size and feel of American cars, contrasting them with European cars he likened to “Matchboxes.” The exact size and value of his wider collection remain undisclosed.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem told The Drive that he owns 160 American V8-powered cars, describing his affection for their size, sound and road feel while joking that European cars are “like Matchboxes.” The comments, made in a conversation with the publication at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, offer a personal look at the car collection and hands-on restoration work of the head of motorsport’s governing body.
Ben Sulayem said his preference for American cars is rooted partly in growing up in the United Arab Emirates, where he recalled open roads and relatively low fuel costs. He told The Drive that those conditions made American cars a natural fit, and praised their presence and the sensation of driving them. His comparison of European cars to small matchboxes was a personal quip, not a technical assessment of the two markets.
Asked how many American cars with V8 engines he owns, Ben Sulayem answered “160.” The figure refers specifically to his American V8 cars; it is not a stated total for his full collection. The report describes the wider collection as including modern performance cars and classic models, but says he did not provide an exact overall count or an independently verified valuation.
He also told The Drive that he enjoys restomods—older vehicles modified with updated parts and technology—more than simply buying finished cars. He said he takes part in decisions involving chassis, engine placement, suspension, wheels, brakes and steering. For the American cars he drives, he described improving handling and stopping as part of the work, alongside the power and character he values.
A Personal View of Car Culture
The story is a personal-interest report about the FIA president’s car collection, rather than an announcement of a change in FIA policy or Formula 1 rules. It matters to motorsport followers because Ben Sulayem is a prominent figure in international racing, and the interview connects his private automotive interests with his public comments about the kinds of engines and cars he enjoys.
His praise for American V8s also comes from a perspective shaped by his own collecting and restoration. He described a preference for large cars and the process of improving them, not a formal position on the merits of European manufacturers or a policy proposal for competition. The comments should not be read as evidence of an FIA decision about engine regulations.
For car enthusiasts, the account highlights the distinction Ben Sulayem makes between acquiring a finished collector car and participating in its development. His remarks focus on the practical work of making older, powerful vehicles turn and stop well, as well as on the personal satisfaction he says comes from the process.
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From Rallying to Restomods
Ben Sulayem is a former rally driver and now serves as president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body for international motorsport. The Drive’s report notes his public interest in simpler, V8-powered Formula 1 cars, but the Austin conversation described here was about his personal tastes and collection. The supplied material does not report a new F1 regulation or decision linked to the interview.
The report lists vehicles in his broader collection ranging from modern hypercars to classics, including a Mercedes-AMG One, Ferrari Daytona SP3, Bugatti Bolide, Jaguar XJ220, Mercedes 300SL and Ferrari F40. It also references a one-off Studebaker pickup fitted with a BMW F80 M3 engine. Those examples illustrate the range described by The Drive; they do not establish a complete inventory.
Ben Sulayem said a Cadillac would be his choice if he had to keep only one car, while also naming Chrysler Imperial and Lincoln models as favorites. He explained that he likes large cars but wants to update their handling and braking. The report does not specify which Cadillac he meant.
““I love American V8s.””
— Mohammed Ben Sulayem, speaking to The Drive
The Collection’s Full Scope
The 160-car figure is Ben Sulayem’s answer as reported by The Drive; the supplied material does not describe an independent count or provide a list of those vehicles. It also does not give the total number of cars in his broader collection, its value, or a complete inventory. Figures found online for the collection’s worth are characterized in the report as unofficial estimates, not verified valuations.
It is also unclear which specific Cadillac he would keep, how many of the cars he personally drives, and what share of the modifications he performs himself versus directs or completes with help. The article does not identify the exact models among the 160 American V8 cars. His remarks about European cars are an opinion, not a measured comparison of vehicle dimensions or performance.
No FIA Decision Announced
The supplied report gives no indication that the interview will lead to an FIA announcement or a change in motorsport rules. Ben Sulayem’s comments remain a snapshot of his personal interests, shared during a conversation at the Austin Grand Prix.
Any fuller account of the collection would depend on further details from Ben Sulayem or the FIA president’s representatives, such as an inventory or additional information about the cars and their modifications. Until then, the 160 American V8s figure and his stated preference for Cadillacs and restomods are the specific details he disclosed in the interview.
Key Questions
How many American V8 cars does Mohammed Ben Sulayem say he owns?
He told The Drive that he owns 160 American V8-powered cars. The supplied report does not include an independent count or a complete list.
What did Ben Sulayem mean by calling European cars “like Matchboxes”?
He was making a personal, humorous comparison about the size of cars he encounters in Europe versus the larger American cars he likes. The remark is not a formal or measured comparison of vehicles.
What is a restomod?
A restomod is a classic or older vehicle that has been restored and modified, often with updated mechanical parts or technology. Ben Sulayem said he enjoys taking part in that work, including decisions about handling and braking.
Did he disclose the total value of his car collection?
No. The Drive reported that he did not give the collection’s total value or an exact count of all his cars. Online valuations mentioned in the report were described as unofficial estimates.
Do his comments announce a change to Formula 1 rules?
No such change was reported. The interview focused on Ben Sulayem’s personal collection and automotive preferences; the supplied material describes no FIA decision or new Formula 1 regulation.
Source: thedrive.com
