Shaila-Ann Rao has retuned to the FIA as presidential advisor to Mohammed Ben Sulayem, motorsport’s governing physique has introduced.
Rao was beforehand a lawyer for the Mercedes workforce and particular advisor to its CEO and workforce principal Toto Wolff, having been FIA authorized director previous to that. Upon her departure from Mercedes, she turned interim secretary common for motorsport on the FIA and was concerned within the 2022 value cap investigation into Purple Bull however left the governing physique once more on the finish of that yr.
That stint was described as serving to navigate the transitional spell as Ben Sulayem took over from former president Jean Todt firstly of 2022, however Rao will now return in a everlasting place to advise Ben Sulayem on regulatory and business issues associated to the seven FIA world championships.
“I’m wanting ahead to advising the FIA president throughout the FIA world championships and constructing on the numerous progress that has already been made throughout his presidential time period strengthening the championships’ regulatory and business frameworks,” Rao mentioned. “The FIA holds a singular place in world sport, and I’m excited to help the FIA right now and to assist the FIA president ship a good stronger future for motor sport.”
Ben Sulayem has seen numerous key personnel go away the FIA throughout his tenure, however Rao is the second announcement of a brand new appointment following the nomination of Malcolm Wilson to change into deputy president for sport because the president rebuilds the workforce round him.
“I’m delighted to welcome again Shaila-Ann Rao to the FIA,” Ben Sulayem mentioned. “She has an distinctive report in world motor sport and will likely be an excellent asset to me and my workforce as we proceed to enhance the regulatory and business frameworks throughout all of the FIA world championships benefiting our drivers, groups and FIA Member Golf equipment. She will even advise me on issues associated to all of the FIA world championship promoters.”
