Malcolm Wilson, OBE, and founder of title-winning WRC outfit M-Sport, has been nominated as an FIA deputy presidential candidate.
The vacancy exists due to Robert Reid stepping down from his post as deputy president for sport for the governing body.
In a statement, Reid wrote, “I took on this role to deliver greater transparency, stronger governance, and more collaborative leadership.
“Over time, those principles have been increasingly set aside and I can no longer, in good faith, remain part of a system that no longer reflects them.”
Reid, like FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, comes from a rallying background, and that theme continues with Wilson’s nomination.
“I am delighted to nominate Malcolm Wilson OBE for the role of FIA deputy president for sport,” Ben Sulayem wrote in an official FIA statement.
“Malcolm has had a distinguished career in global motorsport.
“For over 40 years he has competed at the highest level both as a driver and technical partner to teams.
“This experience will be invaluable to the FIA and our member clubs as we continue to grow grassroots and professional motorsport, driving innovation in the sport to benefit fans, drivers and teams.”
Wilson ‘looking forward to supporting the FIA’s mission’
FIA members will vote on Wilson’s candidacy at the extraordinary general assembly and conference in Macau in June.
“The FIA has played a central role in my career,” said 1994 British Rally Champion Wilson.
“I very much look forward to supporting the president and all the FIA family in its important mission.
“There has never been a more exciting time to be in motorsport, and I know first-hand the benefits the sport brings to families and communities across the world.
“I look forward to working with the president for the duration of his current term of office, bringing our sport to new audiences and ensuring we deliver the very best championships for all our competitors.”
Wilson is one of the most influential figures in rallying, his ‘94 British Rally Championship success helped cultivate an enduring partnership with Ford, which has seen his M-Sport enterprise win the WRC Manufacturers’ crown in 2006 and ‘07.
He was awarded an OBE for his services to motorsport in 2009.
Why is there a vacancy in the FIA
Reid divulged further information on Substack regarding his exit from the FIA.
“I ultimately found myself unable to continue within a system that no longer reflected the standards I believe the FIA must uphold,” he wrote.
A key concern for Reid was the FIA’s move to become the self-promoter of the World Rallycross Championship, a decision that goes against the governing body’s standard policy.
“One of the clearest and most troubling examples of this breakdown involved the internalisation of the World Rallycross Championship,” Reid explained.
“I repeatedly raised concerns, both about the governance process and potential legal implications, and received no response, despite my elected responsibilities and fiduciary obligations.
“Eventually, I had no choice but to seek external legal advice and support. Only then did I receive a response, but unfortunately it lacked the clarity and rigour I had hoped for.
“I was told, in broad terms, that the governance process was sound and there was no legal risk. But no evidence or explanation was offered to support those assurances.
“As someone accountable to the membership and exposed to personal liability, that was simply not acceptable.”
Time will tell whether Wilson accepts Ben Sulayem’s handling of FIA matters.
The president’s term ends this year and will be up for re-election in December.
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