Robert Reid, the FIA’s deputy president for sport and one of the crucial senior members of Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s presidential staff, has resigned from his place with fast impact over what he calls a “governance disaster” inside the governing physique.
The Scot (pictured at left, above) was a key a part of FIA president Ben Sulayem’s election marketing campaign in 2021 and has served as deputy president for sport since that point. Nevertheless, following a lot of controversies and departures from the governing physique that cited a scarcity of transparency underneath Ben Sulayem, Reid has now change into probably the most high-profile determine to resign, as probably the most senior sporting member working underneath the president.
In his announcement, the choice for Reid to resign is attributed to him “citing a basic breakdown in governance requirements inside motorsport’s world governing physique,” whereas including that Reid “expressed rising alarm over vital selections being made with out due course of or correct session, each internally and with FIA members and the FIA governance our bodies; Senate and World Motor Sport Council.”
Though he doesn’t title Ben Sulayem in any of his personal feedback, Reid references FIA management requiring larger accountability, in addition to the current determination to internalize the promotion of the World Rallycross Championship (WRX) with out Senate or World Motor Sport Council approval.
Reid referred to as the latter change “the ultimate breach of belief and due course of,” as he believes it may go away the FIA at authorized threat underneath European Union competitors legislation.
“After I took on this position, it was to serve the FIA’s members; to not serve energy,” Reid mentioned in an announcement. “Over time, I’ve witnessed a gradual erosion of the rules we promised to uphold. Choices are being made behind closed doorways, bypassing the very constructions and folks the FIA exists to symbolize.
“My resignation shouldn’t be about personalities; it’s about rules. Motorsport deserves management that’s accountable, clear, and member-driven. I can now not, in good religion, stay a part of a system that doesn’t replicate these values.”
In December, modifications to the statutes in regards to the ethics and audit committees have been voted by means of regardless of criticism, whereas on Wednesday there was an extra replace from Motorsport UK chairman David Richards, who revealed a second open letter voicing his issues about Ben Sulayem’s management.
Richards described his focus as being on “the very actual issues which were expressed, not simply on my own, however a rising variety of individuals, that the governance and constitutional group of the FIA is turning into ever extra opaque and concentrating energy within the arms of the President alone.”
Richards added that, whereas there are numerous achievements for the FIA to be pleased with over the previous three years, “we can not enable a shift of the ethical compass of our management to easily dismiss any request for transparency and open discourse.”
Whereas Richards continues to name for a decision to his issues referring to confidentiality agreements, Reid additionally says he’ll stay concerned in attempting to affect change inside the governing physique.
“This isn’t the top of my service to motorsport,” Reid added. “I’ll proceed to advocate for reform, transparency, and governance that respects the FIA’s members and the integrity of our sport.”
Ben Sulayem is because of make his first look at a Components 1 race this season on the Bahrain Grand Prix, the place a gathering referring to future energy unit laws has been scheduled.
The FIA has been approached for remark.
