Criticism against FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem intensifies

In a significant development, the deputy president of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Robert Reid, has tendered his resignation. This move comes amidst growing criticism against President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, with concerns about governance standards and decision-making processes escalating to alarming levels.

Reid’s Resignation: A Sign of Dissent

In a statement released on Thursday, Reid cited a ‘breakdown of governance standards’ and ‘critical decisions being made without due process’ as the reasons for his immediate departure. This sentiment echoes the criticism voiced by Motorsport UK chairman, David Richards, in an open letter.

Richards had earlier characterized the FIA’s stricter protocols, which included a non-disclosure agreement, as a ‘gagging order.’ Both Reid and Richards were barred from attending a World Motor Sport Council meeting due to their refusal to sign this agreement.

Allegations of Authoritarian Leadership

The opposition against Ben Sulayem’s reign is not new. Previous high-profile departures include the CEO, Natalie Robyn, and several other executives, officials, and stewards, who were removed from their positions following the president’s intervention.

Critics argue that Ben Sulayem is moving towards a more authoritarian leadership style, a claim he has yet to address effectively.

Accountability Concerns and Ethical Allegations

The FIA’s General Assembly last year saw the passage of amended statutes that limited accountability, granting Ben Sulayem and the FIA senate president Carmelo Sanz De Barros the power to decide on ethics complaints, including those concerning themselves.

Ben Sulayem has been under scrutiny for his alleged intervention in a penalty against Fernando Alonso at the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the certification of F1’s new Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit. However, he was cleared of any wrongdoing following an investigation by the FIA ethics committee.

The compliance officer in charge of this investigation, Paolo Bassari, was later dismissed after disagreements with the president, with reports suggesting the Italian paid the price for resisting Ben Sulayem’s requests.

What Lies Ahead?

Reid’s resignation, a high-profile departure, is reminiscent of a US vice president resigning over the sitting president’s actions. With Ben Sulayem up for re-election at the end of the year, the stage is set for potential challengers.

However, the FIA General Assembly, consisting of all member clubs and national sporting authorities representing 245 member organizations from 149 countries, will vote for the new president. With a majority of 75% in favor of the change in accountability statutes, it will be challenging for any opposition to win the numbers game.

As we move forward, it remains to be seen if the growing wave of protest will swell into the tsunami required to topple Ben Sulayem. The waters are certainly being tested.