As the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) navigates a turbulent year filled with controversies, proposed reforms are shaking up its internal operations. With the 2024 Formula 1 season coming to a close, drivers are calling for change.
Amid accusations and a string of resignations, the organization’s recent measures have sparked a mix of skepticism and concern among teams, drivers, and fans alike.
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Power centralized at the top of the FIA organization
At the heart of this reform is a clear intention to consolidate power around FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Senate President Carmelo Sanz De Barros. If these changes are approved at the FIA General Assembly on December 13, ethics and governance could take an entirely new direction. Specifically, ethics complaints, previously overseen by independent committees, would now be handled directly by these two leading figures. Additionally, the internal audit system implemented during Jean Todt’s tenure would see its power significantly reduced, limiting its role to a simple review of accounts. This restructuring could further strengthen Ben Sulayem’s position, particularly as he prepares for a campaign to secure a second term.
A wave of concerning departures
The resignations and dismissals within the FIA have not gone unnoticed. Among the key figures who have recently left the organization are influential executives, including the former sporting director, the technical director of Formula 1, and the head of communications. Added to this are the departures of audit and compliance officials, some of whom have publicly voiced disagreements with the current leadership. A strange coincidence… The most high-profile case remains that of Tim Mayer, a former Formula 1 steward, who was dismissed following a disagreement over an incident at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. This tense climate highlights internal fractures that could jeopardize the institution’s stability—and, by extension, the stability of motorsports as a whole, not just Formula 1.
Accusations and controversies in the background
Mohammed Ben Sulayem is no stranger to controversy. He has faced accusations of interfering with the results of the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and hesitating to approve the Las Vegas circuit for the championship that same year. While these accusations were dismissed due to a lack of evidence, they continue to tarnish his reputation. Another point of contention is the management of a $1.5 million presidential fund intended to support member clubs. Although legitimate on paper, this initiative has raised questions about the president’s personal finances. With so many unanswered questions, these new reforms are likely to amplify suspicions rather than quell them. George Russell, representing F1 drivers through the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA), is still awaiting a response to his request last month for increased transparency in FIA communications. None of this bodes well for Formula 1.
This article explores the recent changes proposed by the FIA, the concentration of power around its president, and the controversies shaking the organization. Amid mass departures and repeated accusations, these reforms raise serious questions about the future of governance in motorsports.
Image: Scuderia Ferrari media gallery
