The Federation is sinking deeper into chaos: Mohamed Ben Sulayem’s position is now truly hanging by a thread.
The FIA is in the midst of an unprecedented crisis. Under Mohamed Ben Sulayem’s leadership, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile is collapsing piece by piece.
In recent months, several key figures have left the organization, denouncing an opaque and authoritarian management style. Vice President Robert Reid publicly criticized decisions made “behind closed doors”, while former CEO Natalie Robyn revealed she was practically forced to resign due to intense internal conflicts.
And it doesn’t stop there: according to autoracer.it, Ben Sulayem worsened the situation by taking direct control of the Rallycross Championship, bypassing official governing bodies and raising serious legal doubts—actions that are, of course, anything but lawful.
Other suspicious moves? The dismissal of Paolo Basarri, who had launched an investigation into possible presidential interference, and the Susie Wolff case, tied to a lawsuit over an investigation that was shut down far too quickly. Criticism is also pouring in from the outside: George Russell, Mercedes driver and president of the GPDA, and David Richards (chairman of Motorsport UK) have publicly demanded urgent change within the FIA.
In an attempt to hold onto his position, Ben Sulayem reportedly proposed Malcolm Wilson as the new vice president. His appointment will be voted on in June, but the environment is already in turmoil: after months of scandal and confusion, several names are already being floated as potential challengers to the president.
The future of the FIA now looks seriously at risk, with motorsport divided into two directions: On one side, a Formula 1 that continues to evolve, and on the other, a Federation that seems to be walking backwards.
Photo: Formula 1