Ben Sulayem’s FIA overhaul passes despite calls for delay

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has strengthened his hold on motorsport’s governing body following an overwhelming approval of a series of controversial statute changes during the FIA’s General Assembly on Thursday.

Despite warnings from some quarters, including founding member Austria’s OAMTC, more than 80% of delegates voted in favour of the revisions.

The amendments include changes to the FIA’s ethics code and the rules surrounding presidential elections – moves critics argue could entrench Ben Sulayem’s administration ahead of his re-election bid later this year.

Austria’s Warning Ignored

The lead-up to the vote was marked by sharp objections. Austria’s OAMTC issued a last-minute letter to the World Council for Automobile Mobility and Tourism (WCAMT), warning that the changes posed “dangers to the governing body” and raised questions about their legality.

“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,” the letter stated. It further claimed that some council meetings endorsing the revisions were improperly constituted due to the exclusion of elected members who refused to sign punitive side contracts.

While the letter gained some traction, with several clubs supporting a delay, including representatives from the UK, Belgium, Portugal and Switzerland, it failed to muster enough opposition to prevent the vote from proceeding. The proposals were passed with a supermajority, underscoring Ben Sulayem’s strong support within the federation.

Re-election Campaign Gains Momentum

The vote is widely viewed as a significant political victory for Ben Sulayem, who is seeking a second term as FIA president after first taking office in 2021. No official challenger has emerged, though rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr. has publicly stated he is considering a run.

Ben Sulayem has positioned himself as a reformer and financial stabilizer of the FIA. Letters of support from various clubs — especially from the Americas — were recently circulated by his team, praising the turnaround under his leadership.

“We are all acutely aware of the catastrophic financial situation you inherited,” one letter said. “The turnaround achieved in less than four years is nothing short of extraordinary.”

Ben Sulayem: “A Financially Sustainable Organisation”

Speaking after the vote in Macau, Ben Sulayem highlighted the FIA’s financial revival as a key achievement.

“Following the hard work of many, the FIA is now a financially sustainable organisation,” he said, quoted by The Race.

“In 2024 we delivered a profit of €4.7 million which will be reinvested into key projects across the Federation and our Member Clubs, supporting my commitment to doubling global motorsport participation and the important work we are doing in grassroots across our pyramids.”

FIA Defends Reforms

In response to criticism, the FIA released a statement asserting that the changes are designed to improve governance and ensure electoral fairness.

“The proposed amendments to the FIA Statutes are designed to further strengthen processes around governance and confidentiality,” the statement said. “They will grant the nominations committee more time to examine the eligibility criteria of candidates, and help to ensure consistency and rigour in the electoral process.”

It concluded: “All proposed amendments were voted through by a super majority of FIA Member Clubs at the General Assemblies, in line with the democratic process which governs decision making within the Federation.”

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