Mohamed Ben Sulayem scores political points as FIA passes controversial changes

The FIA General Assembly has voted through changes to the governing body’s statutes and ethics code in what is seen as a victory for president Mohamed Ben Sulayem, but has faced criticism for eroding governance standards.

On Thursday the General Assembly, which gathered in Macau this week, voted through amendments which are said to bring forward the deadline for potential presidential candidates to declare, increase the president’s influence on the FIA Senate membership and align the terms of office of the audit, ethics and nomination committees with the president’s four-year term.

They also include provisions for potential presidential candidates to be blocked if their record calls into questions their integrity.

As first reported by the BBC and verified by Motorsport.com, FIA members approved the statute amendments with an 83.35% majority. The ethics code changes were voted through by 88.83%.

“The FIA has taken steps since 2021 to strengthen its corporate governance policies,” the FIA commented in a statement supplied to Motorsport.com. “These policies guide the FIA’s operations and ensure its rules, practices and processes are robust and transparent.

“The proposed amendments to the FIA Statutes are designed to further strengthen processes around governance and confidentiality. 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.

“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.”

The size of support for the changes can be seen as a major win for Ben Sulayem, who is up for re-election in December at the next General Assembly in Tashkent, but has faced increased criticism in recent years over his governance style.

Motorsport UK chairman David Richards said he has “concerns about the erosion of accountability and good governance within the FIA”, which has seen a high turnover of officials over the last three years.

Richards was barred from attending a World Motor Sport Council meeting after refusing to sign a strengthened non-disclosure agreement.

Ben Sulayem’s former deputy president for sport Robert Reid resigned in April due to his unease over “critical decisions being made without due process” as well as a “fundamental breakdown in governance standards” under Ben Sulayem, whose latest push to change FIA statutes is seen as a consolidation of power by his critics.

As reported by Reuters, Austria’s Automobile Association OAMTC urged FIA members to vote against the proposals in a letter addressing the FIA world council’s mobility members, sent on the eve of the vote in Macau.

“There is no urgency regarding these proposed changes… they risk further contributing to the erosion of the FIA’s reputation for competent and transparent governance,” the letter stated.

“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.”

At the time of reporting Ben Sulayem is running unopposed in December, although rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr told Autosport in May he is considering running for office.

The Spaniard’s potential candidacy was well received within the F1 paddock, where several drivers have voiced concerns over how the president has addressed various issues, including a swearing ban that has recently been watered down.

But Thursday’s vote is further evidence of the comfortable position the incumbent is in worldwide.

Last month Ben Sulayem received a vote of support from 36 members largely based in the Americas, while the president also enjoys strong support in Africa and Asia. Each FIA member country receives the same maximum of 24 votes, 12 for sport and 12 for mobility.