Mohamed Ben Sulayem Gains Political Edge as FIA Approves Controversial Rules

Mohamed Ben Sulayem took a significant step forward in his leadership as FIA president after the General Assembly approved sweeping changes to the organization’s statutes and ethics code.

Image credit: www.motorsport.com

The meeting took place in Macau on Thursday, with FIA members voting to accept amendments that affect the timing for presidential declarations and increase the president’s sway over FIA Senate membership.

The vote also synchronized the terms for audit, ethics, and nomination committees with the four-year term of the president. These changes passed with large majorities—83.35% for the statutes and 88.83% for the ethics code.

One notable update allows the Nominations Committee more time to review potential candidates for the presidency, examining their qualifications and past conduct more closely. This process can block candidates if there are concerns about their integrity.

The FIA stated the changes are intended to make governance policies more robust, transparent, and effective. All amendments passed with what the FIA called a super majority of member clubs, highlighting widespread support.

While these reforms are seen by many as a win for Ben Sulayem, especially ahead of his re-election bid in December in Tashkent, they have also drawn criticism. Some members, including high-profile figures like Motorsport UK chairman David Richards, have expressed concern about reduced accountability and a perceived drop in good governance within the FIA.

Richards himself was prevented from attending a recent World Motor Sport Council meeting after refusing to accept stricter disclosure rules. Former deputy president for sport Robert Reid stepped down in April, pointing to what he described as “critical decisions being made without due process” and a collapse in governance standards during Ben Sulayem’s tenure.

According to sources such as the BBC and Motorsport.com, there were also calls before the vote to reject the amendments. Austria’s Automobile Association (OAMTC) circulated a letter warning that the changes could harm the FIA’s reputation and arguing that linking governance reforms with Ben Sulayem’s public plans to run for re-election could appear self-serving.

Image credit: www.planetf1.com

Despite these warnings, support for Ben Sulayem remains strong. Last month, he secured backing from 36 member organizations, mainly from the Americas, and his support base includes many clubs across Africa and Asia.

Each FIA member country holds up to 24 votes, split evenly between sport and mobility groups. At the current time, Ben Sulayem stands unopposed for December’s election, but rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr. has said he might also enter the race.

Sainz’s possible candidacy has been welcomed by many parties in the Formula 1 community, some of whom are critical of Ben Sulayem’s past policies, including his handling of recent bans and their subsequent adjustments.

The vote in Macau further cements Ben Sulayem’s firm position within the organization leading up to the next election cycle. As the FIA continues implementing these changes, much attention will remain on the impact they have across global motorsport and how governance will evolve in the coming months.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.