Sulaiman Al Kehaimi, a Saudi national and the son of a former ambassador, rose to public attention in the mid-1990s after presenting himself as a fabulously wealthy prince. With charm, confidence, and the trappings of royalty, he embedded himself in elite social circles in London, Paris, and the world of Formula 1.
Known for exotic cars, luxurious properties, private jets, and extravagant hospitality, Al Kehaimi created a persona that few questioned—until events unfolded that revealed a more complicated truth. One of his most remarkable performances occurred during the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix, where he hosted a party at a $50 million chateau attended by celebrities including Cher.
Al Kehaimi’s involvement with the Tyrrell Formula 1 team began in 1995, when Rupert Manwaring, the team’s commercial manager, was introduced to him through an acquaintance in the automotive industry.
Tyrrell, once a dominant force in Formula 1, was struggling financially, and Al Kehaimi appeared to offer salvation. “He was making all the right noises,” Manwaring later recalled. Al Kehaimi proposed a five-year sponsorship arrangement with a view to acquiring 51% ownership of the team.
In an impressive show of resources, he flew team members to races on a luxury private jet equipped with lounges and bedrooms, and maintained the illusion of vast wealth with suitcases of cash and even a personal butler who once appeared at Manwaring’s house uninvited. “Honestly, I can’t explain to you what a pantomime this all was,” said Manwaring.
Despite these flamboyant displays, no actual investment ever materialised. Suspicion began to build as Al Kehaimi continued to delay, and by the time of the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix, patience was running thin. Nonetheless, he orchestrated a final spectacle.
Manwaring and other VIP guests were invited to a chateau in Grasse, which Al Kehaimi claimed as his own. They arrived by helicopter, which, according to Manwaring, was “dangerous as hell because we were hitting tree branches and all sorts coming in to land.” Upon arrival, the staff and surroundings raised further doubts. The dogs at the property were aggressive and unwelcoming, and Al Kehaimi appeared uncomfortable in the role of host. “I was asked to go down to the wine cellar with the ‘master’ to select wines,” Manwaring noted, “although it was clear that he hadn’t a clue about wine at all.”
During the event, the arrival of Cher caused a stir. Al Kehaimi had reportedly met her at a restaurant a year earlier and offered to invest in her clothing company. At the party, she took an immediate liking to Manwaring, referring to him affectionately as “Rupey.” During the race itself, Manwaring was asked to act as her chaperone. “She said she wanted to walk around the track during the race. And we did it—just me and Cher, just behind the Armco, through the tunnel, a whole lap. She was blown away, loved it, and she was really into it.”
On the evening of the race, which also marked Cher’s 50th birthday, Al Kehaimi hosted a lavish dinner at the chateau. “Dinner was really flash as you can imagine,” said Manwaring. “Then outside of the chateau this yellow Lamborghini Diablo appeared. During the course of the dinner, he does this speech, wishes Cher a happy birthday and hands her the keys of the Diablo. So, we’re all outside the chateau, and there’s the yellow Diablo, apparently now Cher’s.”
However, by the following morning, the illusion began to collapse. Conversations among the guests revealed inconsistencies in Al Kehaimi’s story. Manwaring recalled: “‘So, what’s he doing for you?’ the conversations started to echo through the plush surroundings.” One guest revealed he had paid for a half-share in the private jet. Another, a well-known London nightclub owner, admitted to having invested in one of Al Kehaimi’s schemes. A final blow came when Manwaring spoke with an executive from Netscape, believing a £2 million sponsorship deal had been arranged. “I said, ‘We’re really looking forward to the partnership.’ He looked at me blankly and said, ‘What? I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ His face went pale.”
The Tyrrell deal collapsed. Although the team suffered no direct financial loss, other individuals were not as fortunate. In 1998, Al Kehaimi was charged with multiple counts of theft and deception totalling over £300,000. The case involved individuals such as businessman Simon Langer and Al Kehaimi’s neighbour in Henley, Mehrangiz Charnell, who had provided him with funds in connection with supposed business ventures and an effort to secure her brother’s release from a Dubai prison.
The case was heard at Oxford Crown Court in 1999. Manwaring served as a witness. After a three-week trial, Al Kehaimi was acquitted on all counts. The jury accepted that he had not acted with intent to defraud and believed his claim that he intended to repay his creditors. A separate firearms charge was dismissed, as he had already spent time in remand awaiting trial.
During the proceedings, the prosecution referred to Cher to clarify her role. “Cher features in this as a completely innocent person,” said prosecutor Simon Brown. “This well-known personality did not have the faintest idea she was dealing with a conman who was so good he took everyone in.”
Court documents described Al Kehaimi as being distantly related to the Saudi royal family and linked him to Prince Khalid in previous ventures, including the acquisition of a Boeing 707 that had transported high-profile individuals such as Rod Stewart and the Sultan of Brunei. Despite the extent of the illusion he constructed, the court found insufficient evidence of criminal intent.
Following the trial, Al Kehaimi disappeared from public view. He was believed to have lived quietly in the UK for a time with an English girlfriend, but as of 2024, his whereabouts remain unknown.
Sulaiman Al Kehaimi’s story remains a striking example of how carefully crafted appearances can grant access to privileged spaces, influence decision-makers, and even fool celebrities. While he was never convicted of wrongdoing, his brief presence in the world of Formula 1 and high society left behind a trail of intrigue, unanswered questions, and what has become one of the sport’s most curious and little-known off-track tales.