FIA deputy president, Robert Reid, has resigned from the Formula 1 and wider motorsport governing body with immediate effect, citing a lack of integrity in the organisation
Reid held his position as FIA deputy president from 2021, but informed president Mohammed Ben Sulayem on Thursday morning that he will be stepping down.
Ben Sulayem has come in for routine criticism throughout his tenure as president for his lack of transparency, conflict with F1 drivers and in the eyes of some, lack of accountability.
In his statement, Reid wrote: “After deep reflection, I have made the difficult decision to resign as FIA deputy president for sport.
“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.
“Stepping away was not easy, however staying would have meant compromising what I believe in. This is about principles, not politics.
“Motorsport deserves leadership rooted in integrity, accountability, and respect for process.
“That’s the minimum standard we should all expect, and demand.”
FIA president meeting significant opposition
Reid, along with Motorsport UK chair David Richards, was recently barred from a World Motor Sport Council meeting for failing to sign a non-disclosure agreement imposed by Ben Sulayem.
Richards has since been in an ongoing dispute with the FIA, recently writing “the governance and constitutional organisation of the FIA is becoming ever more opaque and concentrating power in the hands of the President alone.”
Ben Sulayem is up for re-election in December, and as it stands, there’s no official opposition running for the FIA presidency.
Whether Reid will run in opposition remains to be seen, and rumours have pointed towards F1 Academy Managing Director Susie Wolff making a run.
Regardless, Reid’s resignation is the latest in a long line of departures under Ben Sulayem, with his leadership of the FIA being routinely questioned.
READ MORE – Motorsport UK criticises ‘disappointing’ FIA response to key concerns
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