Ex-FIA Deputy President Robert Reid Clarifies Reasons Behind Resignation

In a recent move that sent shockwaves through the motorsport community, former FIA deputy president for sport Robert Reid announced his resignation. This decision, made in an election year, is akin to rolling a grenade under the door, as it highlights deep-seated issues within the FIA’s governance. Now, Reid has taken to Substack to clarify his reasons for quitting the post.

Lack of Communication and Transparency from Above

In his published statement, Reid thanked those within motorsport and the FIA member clubs who had sent him messages of support. Once again, he emphasized what he sees as a lack of communication and transparency from above. He wrote, “It is interesting, but not wholly surprising, that many of those messages of support came with the caveat of not being willing to say anything publicly for fear of retaliation, which highlights some of the issues we face.

Reid’s decision to resign was not about personalities or politics. Instead, it was about principles. He took on this role with a clear mandate: to help lead a transparent, accountable, and member-led federation.

Concentration of Power and Lack of Transparency

Reid’s departure is the latest indication of fault lines within the FIA’s membership over its governance, an issue thrown into stark relief by Motorsport UK chairman David Richards publishing an open letter last month. While the president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s conduct has occupied center stage in terms of headlines, the disquiet runs deeper than that.

During the run-up to the last election four years ago, Ben Sulayem assured putative supporters that he would be a hands-off president who would delegate operational matters to a professional executive team. However, his critics say the direction of travel has actually been towards a concentration of power into the president’s hands and, with it, a lack of transparency surrounding decision-making.

The FIA’s Decision to Take Control of World Rallycross Championship

Among the most contentious issues in play behind the scenes is the FIA’s decision to take the promotion of the World Rallycross Championship in-house. Reid points out that this is, in effect, a breach of the separation between church and state, as it were – the FIA should not be both the governing body of a branch of motorsport and be responsible for its commercial exploitation.

There is legal precedent for this. In 1999, the European Union’s competition commission launched an antitrust investigation into the FIA and Formula One Management, then presided over by Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone. The EU’s position was that the relationship between these two individuals, and the bodies they represented, was altogether too cosy.

Enforced Signing of NDAs and Exclusion from Meetings

Reid also clarified his stance on the enforced signing of NDAs ahead of a WMSC meeting. He wrote, “One journalist said to me that perhaps the FIA should be more concerned with why people are leaking than who is doing it and I think that’s worth reflecting on.

Reid did not refuse to sign the NDA amendment. Instead, he requested a short extension in order to seek legal advice on a complex document governed by Swiss law, which was presented with a relatively short deadline. That request was denied, resulting in his exclusion from the World Motor Sport Council meeting and the subsequent disabling of his FIA email without notice.

Multiple requests for assistance and explanation went unanswered until, following a legal letter from his counsel, he was informed this had been a deliberate decision. Reid believes he was treated unfairly for speaking up about these issues.

In conclusion, Reid’s resignation highlights deep-seated issues within the FIA’s governance. His departure, along with David Richards’ open letter, serves as a call to action for transparency, accountability, and adherence to principles within the federation.