FIA’s Controversial Changes Officially Approved in Heated Vote

Controversial changes to the statutes of the FIA, Formula 1’s governing body, have received approval from the General Assembly following a decisive vote in Macau. On June 12, FIA members endorsed the proposed amendments by a strong margin, with 83.35% voting in favor and only 16.65% voting against.

The session saw widespread support for the current administration, despite opposition from key figures and organizations within the motorsport community. Austria’s national motoring club, the OAMTC, led criticism of the amendments.

Just before the vote, the OAMTC sent a letter urging other FIA members to reconsider their support for the new rules. The club warned that extending control for FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem could lead to a “dark period of democratic backsliding” for the organization.

Some members, such as representatives from the UK, Belgium, Portugal, and Switzerland, echoed the call for a delay to allow more scrutiny. Even with these concerns, the assembly pressed ahead with the formal vote as scheduled.

One of the most debated changes involves stricter vetting of potential candidates for the presidency. The OAMTC argued this would make it harder for opposition figures to challenge the incumbent, requiring challengers to navigate prolonged lobbying efforts.

Another proposal that drew concern removes the requirement that at least 21 of the 28 World Motorsport Council members represent different nationalities. Critics claim this could be used to “stack” the council with allies rather than foster global diversity and independent perspectives.

Amendments also impact the balance of power within the FIA. The new statutes give the president expanded authority over choosing and dismissing Senate members, while foreseen changes to the auditing, ethics, and nominations committees would further align their terms of service with the president’s own.

The OAMTC believes these modifications will undermine independent oversight and checks on leadership power. President Ben Sulayem’s current term ends in December, and so far, no other candidate has formally announced a campaign, though rally icon Carlos Sainz has shown interest.

The FIA president has faced criticism for not implementing recommendations made by McKinsey’s 2022 governance review, including the removal of the compliance office and limiting the scope of the ethics committee. New rules introduce heavy fines for breaches of confidentiality, without clear oversight or transparent routes for appeal.

Despite resistance and calls for more transparency, the FIA stated that the overwhelming vote reflects a strong mandate for the changes. The organization has not yet provided further public response to the concerns raised by the OAMTC and other national bodies.

With these amendments now in effect, the focus shifts to how the new structure will shape future leadership contests and whether steps will be taken to address accusations of reduced accountability and diversity at the highest levels of global motorsport governance. For insights on recent developments in Formula 1, see the discussion about the flexi-wing at the Spanish GP.