A founding member of the FIA has warned that Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s proposed statute changes could plunge the organisation into a “dark period” marked by governance failure and democratic backsliding.
On Thursday, an FIA General Assembly meeting in Macau will vote on whether to approve the latest statute changes proposed by the governing body’s president.
Key proposals include barring candidates with integrity concerns, moving up the declaration deadline, boosting the president’s power to appoint senate members, and allowing changes to limit same-nationality representation on the World Motor Sport Council.
However, on Wednesday, the Austrian OAMTC (Osterreichischer Automobil-, Motorrad- und Touring Club) sent a letter to FIA World Council for Automobile Mobility and Tourism (WCAMT) members, warning that the changes could seriously undermine the integrity of the organisation.
In the letter, it highlighted ongoing problems within the FIA’s leadership, stating bluntly: “Damage to the FIA’s credibility as an organisation has already occurred through repeated governance mis-steps and failings.
“These are not anomalies: they are features of a system of governance that is malfunctioning, due to the absence of normal internal debate and discussion.
“The FIA’s standing in comparison to other international organisations is threatened by the self-inflicted wound of governance failure.”
Urging members to reject the proposed changes, the letter also insisted there is enough time to reconsider the reforms after the next election.
“Where there is even a risk of these changes appearing to benefit the current FIA administration, and not the FIA itself, the changes should not be adopted,” it added.
“There is ample time for more careful reflection, and if these are desirable changes they will still be desirable at a future General Assembly after the next election.”
OAMTC highlights governance failings ahead of FIA vote
The OAMTC also pointed to recent controversies, including last year’s statute changes impacting the ethics and audit committees, as well as the exclusion of WMSC members who refused to sign new non-disclosure agreements.
While FIA president Ben Sulayem insists the latest revisions will strengthen the organisation, the OAMTC and others remain deeply sceptical.
With the 63-year-old seeking re-election and poised to benefit most from the changes, the club warns that approving the reforms now would seriously harm the FIA.
The letter goes further, cautioning that the FIA has “entered a dark period of democratic backsliding”.
It continues: “In every such example, changes to bolster the sitting regime are cast as necessary for the greater good, and objectors are cast as the enemies of progress. In every such example, the outcome is a diminished and less capable system of governance.
“For the FIA the risks are immense. Already the world’s public commentators routinely note the FIA’s weak decision-making, repeated unforced errors and apparent lack of rigour and process.
“While this is survivable, the real threat comes from the growing erosion of confidence among members and stakeholders such as public bodies, governments, motorists, motorsport fans, and actual and potential key commercial partners, and even, potentially, law enforcement authorities capable of intervening in the FIA’s affairs.”
FIA issues response to founding member club letter
In response to the letter, the FIA have released a statement: “The FIA has taken steps since 2021 to strengthen its corporate governance policies. These policies guide the FIA’s operations and ensure its rules, practices and processes are robust and transparent.
“The proposed amendments to the FIA Statutes are designed to further strengthen processes around governance and confidentiality. They will grant the Nominations Committee more time to examine the eligibility criteria of candidates, and help to ensure consistency and rigour in the electoral process.
“All proposed amendments were voted through by a super majority of FIA Member Clubs at the General Assemblies, in line with the democratic process which governs decision making within the Federation.”
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