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Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer has voiced his concerns over the controversies that have surrounded the FIA in the past year, emphasizing the critical role a strong and neutral governing body plays in ensuring the integrity of Formula 1.
As a former FIA official, Bayer’s perspective carries significant weight, particularly given his firsthand understanding of the organization’s inner workings.
Reflecting on a season marred by contentious decisions and heated debates, Bayer admitted to being worried about the challenges faced by the FIA.
“Well, I would be lying if I said it doesn’t worry me,” Bayer conceded. “It is always difficult because I don’t want anyone to comment on the way I run things.
“So who am I to comment on how the FIA president runs things there?”
While careful not to criticize the FIA’s leadership directly, namely president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Bayer underscored the importance of accountability within the governing body.
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“On the other hand, we as teams are dependent on a strong FIA, we need that,” he stressed. “Everyone here is so competitive; this is really a cutthroat sport.
“If you don’t have an organisation that is completely neutral in this and does not interfere with our daily activities, it becomes very difficult.”
Bayer cautioned that any lapse in the FIA’s neutrality and stability could undermine the sport’s authenticity.
“A strong FIA does guarantee that Formula 1 remains a sport and that it does not become a show, a kind of World Wrestling Entertainment or some similar activity,” he explained.
“But how do you get such a strong governing body? I think you do that by building stability and reliability.
“The teams know it too: you can bring in the most brilliant people, but that doesn’t guarantee success.
“I think that’s why it’s so important that the FIA quickly gets on the right track and that the governing body can then grow again. Then we can make sure that we have enough people again.”
Despite the many departures suffered by the FIA in the past year, Bayer noted the institution’s previous growing appeal as a career destination for talented individuals.
He credited this shift to a focus on continuity, stability, and transparency, qualities that the current FIA leadership needs to enforce once again.
“The governing body suddenly became a very attractive employer instead of a last stop before you retire,” he said.
“Suddenly more people came into the FIA, who would stay for a few years and then leave to take on leading roles within the sport,” Bayer explained.
He pointed to figures like Laurent Mekies and Marcin Budkowski, who transitioned from FIA roles to influential positions in motorsport, as examples of this trend.
“There are so many people who have done that. I am one of them,” Bayer said.
“But we have built something based on continuity, stability, relationships, and transparency, and I think that is very important. I think that is also what we expect from the FIA now.”
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