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FIA President for Sport Resigns Amid Discontent

Robert Reid, the president for sport of the FIA, has tendered his resignation, attributing his decision to a “breakdown in standards” within the governing body of Formula 1. This marks yet another high-profile exit from the FIA within the past year and a half, as Reid reportedly experiences discord with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Since Ben Sulayem’s election at the end of 2021, Reid has been serving as his deputy. Reflecting on his departure, Reid stated, “When I took on this role, it was to serve the FIA’s members; not to serve power.” He expressed his concerns about a gradual decline in the principles of governance that he believed were essential to the organization. “Decisions are being made behind closed doors, bypassing the very structures and people the FIA exists to represent,” he added.

Reid emphasized that his resignation was based on principles rather than personal issues. “Motorsport deserves leadership that is accountable, transparent, and member-driven. I can no longer, in good faith, remain part of a system that does not reflect those values,” he concluded.

In the past year, the FIA has seen a significant turnover in senior management, with key figures such as its sporting director, F1 technical director, and race director exiting their roles. Notably, Niels Wittich and Tim Mayer were dismissed from their positions as race director and leading steward, respectively, in November 2023.

The FIA has yet to comment publicly on Reid’s resignation.

Insights from Former FIA CEO

Additionally, Natalie Robyn, a former chief executive of the FIA who left her position in May 2024, has shed light on the organization’s struggles. She remarked, “During my tenure as CEO, I worked under challenging circumstances to strengthen the federation’s governance framework and upgrade its operational transparency.” Robyn noted that Reid’s resignation underscores serious structural challenges within the FIA and cautioned that deviations from professional processes jeopardize the integrity and effectiveness of the organization.

The FIA has faced unprecedented criticism, including a collective statement from all 20 F1 drivers expressing their discontent with Ben Sulayem’s handling of the league’s controversies over the past year. One incident of particular note involved allegations that the president had interfered in the outcome of the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which he denied.

Controversies Surrounding FIA Leadership

In recent months, Ben Sulayem has also been scrutinized for his comments that some deemed inappropriate, notably a remark that drew criticism from Lewis Hamilton for its stereotypical overtones. Furthermore, the FIA voted on controversial reforms in December, potentially restricting the means by which leadership is held accountable. Under the new guidelines, the ethics committee now has limited power in determining the initiation of deeper investigations into ethical complaints.

Amid these developments, the FIA is facing a legal challenge from F1 Academy director Susie Wolff over a conflict of interest inquiry involving her and her husband, Toto Wolff, which was abruptly halted after two days. The chairman of Motorsport UK, David Richards, is also in a dispute with Ben Sulayem, who is currently seeking re-election without opposition.

Bahrain GP Weekend Schedule

Friday, April 11
8.50am: F3 Practice
10am: F2 Practice
12pm: Bahrain GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)
1.55pm: F3 Qualifying
2.40pm: F2 Qualifying
3.35pm: Bahrain GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)
5.15pm: The F1 Show

Saturday, April 12
11.10am: F3 Sprint Race
1.15pm: Bahrain GP Practice Three (session starts at 1.30pm)
3.10pm: F2 Sprint
4.10pm: Bahrain GP Qualifying build-up
5pm: BAHRAIN GP QUALIFYING
7pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook

Sunday, April 13
10.50am: F3 Feature Race
12.20pm: F2 Feature Race
2.30pm: Bahrain GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday
4pm: THE BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX
6pm: Bahrain GP reaction: Chequered Flag
7pm: Ted’s Notebook

*also live on Sky Sports Main Event

Formula 1’s Bahrain Grand Prix weekend will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.

Source
www.skysports.com