Formula One’s governing body confirmed on Thursday that its General Assembly has passed changes to its statutes—a revision some critics claim strengthens FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s position ahead of his re-election campaign.
Meeting in Macau, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) saw a “resounding majority” support the amendments, according to a spokesperson. Though no vote count was shared, the result sets the stage for December’s election, where Ben Sulayem, currently unopposed, is expected to seek a second four-year term.
The FIA, headquartered in Paris, represents national motoring organizations and also oversees world championships including Formula One, rallying, and Formula E.
Ahead of the vote, Austria’s national automobile group (OAMTC) expressed concern. In an internal letter to fellow FIA members, viewed by Reuters, the OAMTC urged rejection of the changes, warning that the move “risked lasting damage to the FIA’s reputation.”
“There is no urgency regarding these proposed changes,” the letter said. “They risk further contributing to the erosion of the FIA’s reputation for competent and transparent governance.”
The letter continued: “It cannot be – and is not – a coincidence that changes relevant to the FIA’s elections have been promoted by the FIA’s leadership at the same time as the FIA’s incumbent president has announced an intention to run in those elections. Where there is even a risk of these changes appearing to benefit the current FIA administration, and not the FIA itself, the changes should not be adopted.”
Ben Sulayem, the organisation’s first president from the Middle East and a former rally driver, has been in office since 2021. His time in charge has not been short of internal controversy. Some senior figures have resigned, and criticism has come both from within the FIA and from Formula One’s driver corps.
Last month, as he confirmed his intention to run for re-election, Ben Sulayem told Reuters he saw value in competition: “I only have to answer to my members. And they are happy. Actually, they are very happy. They are extremely happy.”
Though he acknowledged his detractors, Ben Sulayem noted he felt backed by the federation’s majority membership.
His presidency has already been marked by public disagreements with F1 drivers and high-ranking resignations, including that of former deputy president Robert Reid this past April. In his departure letter, Reid cited a “fundamental breakdown in governance standards.”
Reid and David Richards, who leads Motorsport UK, were also against an earlier series of statute amendments passed in December. At the time, they said the revisions had curbed the influence of the FIA’s audit and ethics committees.
If you enjoyed this story, be sure to follow Motorsport Reports on Microsoft Start.
