FIA General Assembly Approves Governance Statute Changes
Date: Macau, October 5, 2023
In a decisive move, the FIA General Assembly approved significant amendments to the governing body’s statutes and ethics code, a development seen as a strategic advantage for President Mohamed Ben Sulayem ahead of his re-election bid in December. The assembly, convened in Macau, endorsed the changes with an 83.35% majority for the statutes and 88.83% for the ethics code.
The amendments streamline the presidential election process by advancing the deadline for candidate declarations, enhancing presidential influence over FIA Senate membership, and synchronizing the terms of office for key committees with the presidential four-year term. Notably, provisions enabling the disqualification of candidates based on integrity issues were also included.
The FIA stated, “Since 2021, the FIA has implemented steps to enhance its corporate governance, ensuring robust and transparent operational policies.” It emphasized that the amendments support the electoral process’s consistency and integrity, receiving overwhelming support from member clubs.
However, the changes have drawn criticism regarding governance standards. Motorsport UK Chairman David Richards expressed concerns about accountability, citing a high turnover of officials under Ben Sulayem’s leadership. He highlighted issues concerning transparency, particularly surrounding critical decisions made without due process.
Concerns were echoed by the Austrian Automobile Association (OAMTC), which discouraged support for the amendments before the vote, arguing they could further damage the FIA’s reputation and questioning the timing of changes coinciding with Ben Sulayem’s re-election campaign.
Ben Sulayem faces minimal opposition in December, although rally icon Carlos Sainz Sr. has signaled interest in running, indicating potential shifts in leadership support within the motorsport community.
As of now, Ben Sulayem maintains robust backing, particularly among members in the Americas, Africa, and Asia, where he received a vote of confidence from 36 member nations last month. The next General Assembly will take place in Tashkent, where the ongoing governance debate is expected to continue shaping the FIA’s future.
