FIA reforms: Critics warn of the concentration of power and non-transparent leadership

FIA reforms: Critics warn of the concentration of power and non-transparent leadership

The latest developments within the Fédération Internationale de L’Artomobile (FIA) ensure concerned reactions in the motorsport world. At a general assembly that was recently held in Rwanda, significant changes in the FIA ​​statutes were approved, which will have significant effects on internal governance. These changes, which result in a greater concentration of power, were passed with an approval of around 80 percent, despite concerns on the part of the Austrian automotive, motorcycle and touring club (ÖAMTC), which had requested a toilet of the vote because the changes were not considered urgent, and there was a lack of space for discussions, as on small small ones Zeitung is reported.

Oliver Schmerold, the former director of the ÖAMTC, regretted regret about the decided statute changes and draws attention to the risk that they could affect the FIA's reputation for competent and transparent leadership. The changes concern the roles of the ethics and examination commissions and restrict the powers of the test commission, as well as from Motorsport.com

influence on ethics and test commissions

The new regulations transfer the responsibility of the compliance officer to the FIA ​​President and the President of the Senate. This decision leads to considering independence and the possibility of examining serious allegations against the FIA ​​leadership. In the future, the test commission will only have the authority to pursue financial matters at the instruction of the Senate's president and thus lose its independence. In contrast, the ethics committee becomes more independent by now reporting both to the president and the President of the Senate. Nevertheless, the final power remains with the President of the Senate, which raises questions about confidentiality and potential conflicts of interest.

The changes are part of the FIA's efforts to reform their governance structures after a year full of controversy, in which FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem came into focus. Among other things, accusations against him were loud that he had tried to intervene in the results of races, including the Saudi Arabia and Las Vegas Grand Prix, and problems with regard to a controversial "presidential fund" of $ 1.5 million, such as Swipein reported.

criticism and possible future

The reactions to the new statutes are mixed. While the FIA ​​indicates that these reforms have contributed to improving financial stability, with a positive operating result of 2.2 million euros in 2024 compared to a loss of 24 million euros in 2021, there are significant criticism from the motorsport community. Critics warn of further centralization of power and loss of mechanisms that support whistleblower and independent committees.

The changes could fundamentally change the functioning of the FIA ​​and restrict the responsibility of their leadership. It remains to be seen how the Situation will develop, in particular with the upcoming vote on a further change of control in December 2024, which could have even more profound effects. The control of the FIA ​​and its future structure could be put to the test again in this way.