The glittering world of motorsport is no stranger to drama, but this year, the spotlight has shifted from the roar of engines to the corridors of power at the FIA. At the center of it all is FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, a man whose leadership has sparked both ambition and controversy. It’s a saga that has left fans and stakeholders questioning not just the president but the very integrity of the sport.
Promises and Tensions
When Mohammed Ben Sulayem ascended to the presidency of the FIA, he vowed to usher in a new era of transparency and governance reform. It was a campaign rooted in optimism, with promises of an FIA more accountable than ever before. But less than two years into his term, those lofty ambitions seem a distant memory.
The FIA has faced a cascade of resignations from its senior leadership, whispers of governance failings, and allegations of financial irregularities tied to the president’s office. The departure of Natalie Robyn, the FIA’s first-ever CEO, after raising concerns about governance, sent shockwaves through the organization. But it was just the beginning.
Allegations, Resignations, and a Storm Brewing in the FIA
Behind the polished exterior of Formula 1, a storm was brewing. The president’s actions—questions over a $1.5m “president’s fund” and alleged interference in Grands Prix operations—set the stage for a power struggle that would engulf the FIA. Investigations were launched. Ethics and audit committees probed. Whistleblowers came forward.
However, each case seemed to vanish into the ether. Allegations of meddling in decisions at the Saudi Arabian and Las Vegas Grands Prix were dismissed. Reports questioning the president’s expenses and the departure of key figures like Robyn went unanswered. Then came the firing of compliance officer Paolo Basarri and audit committee heads Bertrand Badre and Tom Purves—men once tasked with safeguarding the FIA’s integrity.
A Power Grab or Streamlined Governance? The Vote That Could Change Everything
Now, a proposed overhaul of the FIA’s statutes threatens to tilt the balance of power even further. Under these changes, the ethics and audit committees—long considered the watchdogs of accountability—would lose their teeth. Investigations into ethical breaches would require approval from the president of the senate, who happens to be a close ally of Ben Sulayem. Financial oversight? Stripped down to a mere formality.
Critics call it a power grab. Supporters argue it’s a necessary step toward streamlining operations. But the stakes couldn’t be higher: a vote at the FIA’s general assembly on 13 December will determine whether these controversial changes become reality.
How the FIA’s Internal Crisis Is Rippling Across Formula 1
The repercussions of this move are already being felt. The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association has voiced its displeasure, demanding greater respect and accountability from the FIA leadership. Team principals, too, are watching closely, their faith in the governing body wavering.
For fans, the drama unfolding off-track threatens to overshadow the racing spectacle they love. Questions linger: Can a governing body shrouded in secrecy and controversy effectively regulate a sport that thrives on fairness and competition?
The Road Ahead
As the clock ticks toward the decisive vote, the motorsport world is left holding its breath. The FIA stands at a crossroads: Will it prioritize transparency and accountability, or will it retreat into a fortress of centralized control? The outcome will shape not only the future of Formula 1 but the integrity of motorsport as a whole.
And so, the final chapter in this saga remains unwritten. But one thing is clear: the echoes of this moment will reverberate far beyond the FIA’s Paris headquarters. Because in motorsport, as in life, trust is not a given—it’s earned. And once lost, it’s nearly impossible to regain.
What’s at Stake for Ben Sulayem and the FIA?
The FIA’s December vote is more than a bureaucratic exercise; it’s a test of its values and vision. Under Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s leadership, the governing body faces its most significant challenge yet: to prove that the sport’s integrity is more than just words—or risk losing the trust of the motorsport world forever.
