FIA’s deputy president, Robert Reid, has made the decision to step down from his position. Reid, who has served in this role since Mohammed ben Sulayem assumed the presidency of the FIA in 2021, cited a significant breakdown in governance standards within the global motorsport governing body as the reason for his resignation.
This move represents a notable challenge to Ben Sulayem’s leadership, which has already faced intense scrutiny due to various controversies that have caused disapproval among Formula 1 drivers and high-ranking individuals within the FIA, including Reid himself.
Hailing from Scotland, Reid released an official statement on Thursday announcing his resignation. The timing of his announcement is significant, coinciding with the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix, the first F1 race of 2025 where Ben Sulayem is expected to be present.
In his statement, Reid emphasized his initial intent to serve the FIA’s members rather than power, expressing disappointment in the erosion of the organization’s upheld principles over time. He highlighted concerns about decisions being made without proper transparency or consultation with the relevant structures and individuals the FIA represents, leading to his decision to resign based on principles rather than personal matters.
A pivotal issue for many within the FIA and member organizations was the implementation of rule changes last December without allowing for open discussion. Additionally, Reid and several members of the World Motor Sport Council were denied entry to a meeting recently for refusing to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Reid’s final straw was Ben Sulayem’s unilateral decision to take over the promotion of the World Rallycross Championship without the necessary approvals, which Reid viewed as a breach of trust and due process. He stated that his resignation was a difficult but necessary choice to uphold his beliefs, emphasizing the need for leadership in motorsport founded on integrity, accountability, and respect for due process.
Ben Sulayem is currently serving his first term as FIA president, set to end this year. While he is seeking re-election unopposed, the likelihood of an opposition campaign emerging later in the year is increasing.
Amid speculations that Susie Wolff, F1 Academy managing director and wife of Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, might run for the FIA presidency, she clarified last month that she currently has no intentions of pursuing that role.