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Robert Reid Resigns from FIA: A Shift in Motorsport Governance
In a remarkable turn of events in the motorsport world, Robert Reid, the former co-driver and FIA deputy president for sport, has announced his resignation. This decision, made in an election year, has been likened to “rolling a grenade under the door,” signaling turbulence within the organization.
Reid took to Substack to elaborate on the motivations behind his departure, expressing gratitude towards those in the motorsport community and FIA member clubs who reached out with support. However, he reiterated concerns about a significant lack of communication and transparency from the FIA’s upper echelons.
“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 articulated in his statement. He emphasized that he would never pressure anyone to publicly endorse his stance, which he perceives as fundamentally unfair given the current climate. “From other quarters, however, the silence has been deafening,” he remarked.
Reid stressed that his resignation was not a matter of personal grievances or political maneuvering but rather a principled stand. “I took on this role with a clear mandate: to help lead a transparent, accountable, and member-led federation,” he noted.
His resignation has illuminated the increasing fractures within the FIA’s membership concerning governance issues, drawing attention following an open letter from Motorsport UK chairman David Richards published last month.
Leadership Under Scrutiny
Photo by: Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
While FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has made headlines with his controversial decisions regarding minor issues, the underlying discord appears to extend far deeper. During the previous election cycle four years ago, Ben Sulayem assured potential supporters that he intended to take a hands-off approach, delegating operational responsibilities to a professional executive team.
However, critics of Ben Sulayem assert that his leadership has resulted in an alarming consolidation of power within the presidency, characterized by opaque decision-making processes. This situation intensified earlier this year when the requirement for binding non-disclosure agreements prior to a World Motor Sport Council meeting incited significant outrage.
One of the most discussed issues is the FIA’s recent decision to manage the World Rallycross Championship in-house. Critics argue that this move blurs the lines between governance and commercial operations, raising concerns about the FIA’s role both as a regulatory body and a promoter for the sport.
This is not the first time the FIA has faced scrutiny regarding conflicts of interest. A historical antecedent to this controversy can be traced back to 1999 when the European Union’s competition commission initiated an antitrust investigation involving the FIA and Formula One Management. The investigation concluded that the affiliations between then FIA president Max Mosley and F1 commercial chief Bernie Ecclestone were problematic, leading to significant changes in their operational structures.
Reid elaborated on the concerns surrounding the internalization of the World Rallycross Championship. “One of the clearest and most troubling examples of this breakdown involved the internalization of the World Rallycross Championship,” he explained. Despite numerous attempts to raise concerns regarding governance and legal implications, he found himself without a solid response and, eventually, sought external legal advice.
“Only then did I receive a response, but unfortunately it lacked the clarity and rigour I had hoped for,” Reid commented. “As someone accountable to the membership and exposed to personal liability, that was simply not acceptable.”
He also addressed the issue brought forth by Richards regarding the enforced signing of NDAs ahead of a WMSC meeting. The FIA’s leadership has expressed frustration over information leaks from meetings, but Reid highlighted a pertinent point made by a journalist: perhaps the organization should reconsider the reasons behind the leaks rather than focusing solely on the individuals responsible.
Reid detailed his request for an extension to review the NDA amendment, which was ultimately denied, resulting in his exclusion from the WMSC meeting and subsequent complications with his FIA email access. “It became clear that raising legitimate concerns was not always welcomed, and I experienced firsthand how challenging the status quo can lead to exclusion rather than dialogue,” he reflected.
His resignation not only reflects personal convictions but also underscores ongoing tensions within the FIA regarding leadership style, governance practices, and the fundamental principles intended to uphold the integrity of the sport. As he navigated the complexities and unyielding politics within the organization, Reid’s experience serves as a catalyst for broader discussions about transparency and accountability in motorsports.
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