Latest news with #OAMTC
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
FIA changes pass amid warnings of 'dark period'
The result came despite support from the UK, Belgian, Portuguese and Swiss representatives for Austria's suggestion of a postponement so the FIA could conduct a "proper review and analysis" before making a decision on whether the changes were appropriate. An FIA spokesperson described the result as a "resounding majority". The OAMTC letter adds that recent actions of Ben Sulayem "are inviting comparisons with the excesses of political leaders intent on deconstructing the checks and balances that come with responsible governance". OAMTC chief executive Oliver Schmerold told BBC Sport after the vote: "We brought forward the motion to postpone the vote on the changes to a future assembly as we believe that they inherit some consequences which desire more discussion. "This was supported by several other members. The president underlined that the statutory process has been followed and asked for the vote. "We still believe that it is not good governance to change the longstanding rules for elections only four months before the submission deadline for candidates." The OAMTC letter hints at the prospect of a legal challenge, on the basis that the changes were "endorsed by (FIA) world council meetings that were not properly constituted, having intentionally excluded elected members from participating and voting". David Richards, the MotorsportUK representative on the world council, was among those members barred from a meeting in March in a dispute with Ben Sulayem over refusing to sign a revised confidentially agreement. Schmerold last year voiced his opposition to previous statute changes passed at the last General Assembly in December, describing them as "not good governance" and "not good in terms of checks and balances". The letter says of the proposed changes: Extending the deadline for potential candidates to declare "is intended to discourage opposition". Removing the rule requiring 21 of the 28 members of the world motorsport council to be different nationalities "is intended to stack the WMSC with supporters rather than encourage diversity of opinion" Aligning the terms of office of the audit, ethics and nominations committees with that of the president "would blatantly reduce the independence of oversight bodies" Removing the right to approve or dismiss up to four senate members from the senate and giving it to the president "self-evidently weakens the ability of the senate to perform its oversight functions, including and especially oversight of the president himself". Ben Sulayem's first term of office ends this December and he is so far the only candidate to have confirmed he is standing for election. Rally legend Carlos Sainz has said he is considering running but has not made a final decision. The letter accuses Ben Sulayem of reneging on his promises during his election campaign in 2021 to ensure "governance structures are compliant with best practices". And it says he has implemented none of the "critical changes" that were recommended by a review and audit of the FIA's governance structure commissioned from McKinsey in 2022. It highlights a series of changes that have eroded accountability at the FIA, including: Limiting the power of the ethics committee, saying "ethical enquiries can - in effect - be suppressed" because of the concentration of oversight into the hands of the FIA president and president of the senate. The eradication of the post of compliance office following the sacking of Paolo Basarri from that position last year Centralising decision-making power with the FIA president and president of the senate The imposition of contracts that require FIA personnel to pay a €50,000 fine if they breach confidentiality terms, and the power of the leadership on its own to determine whether this should be paid and why "without having a hearing, time frame, right of appeal or any definition of what confidentiality means". The FIA spokesperson added: "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."
Daily Tribune
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Tribune
Statute Stand-Off, Governance Under Fire
TDT | Manama Austria's OAMTC calls on FIA members to reject changes seen as consolidating presidential power Tensions Rise Ahead of FIA General Assembly As the FIA General Assembly prepares to meet in Macau on Thursday, discontent is mounting from within the organisation. The Austrian Automobile Association (OAMTC) has urged fellow members to reject proposed statute amendments it fears could erode transparency and limit the democratic integrity of the motorsport governing body. In a letter dated June 10 and circulated to members of the FIA's mobility division, the OAMTC challenged the urgency and intent behind eight proposed amendments, questioning whether they serve the federation or merely fortify the position of incumbent president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who is seeking re-election in December. Governance in the Spotlight The OAMTC's message was unequivocal: postpone the vote and reassess the proposed changes in a more neutral setting. 'There is no urgency regarding these proposed changes,' the letter stated, warning that pushing them through now would only deepen concerns about the FIA's governance standards. 'It cannot be – and is not – a coincidence,' the letter continued, that the revisions 'relevant to the FIA's elections' are being put forward just as Ben Sulayem prepares for another term. The reforms are seen by some as potentially deterring challengers in the upcoming presidential election, for which no formal rival has yet emerged. A Divisive Presidency Ben Sulayem, who became FIA president in 2021, has faced criticism throughout his tenure — from clashes with drivers to a wave of internal dissent. His presidency has been marred by high-profile resignations, including that of Robert Reid, a former deputy president and long-time ally, who stepped down in April citing a 'fundamental breakdown in governance standards.' The reforms proposed in December last year — which curtailed the powers of key oversight bodies such as the audit and ethics committees — were also met with resistance, notably from Motorsport UK chair David Richards. The current set of amendments, the OAMTC argues, follow a similar pattern, raising 'issues of fairness and consistency.' A Divided Membership Despite the backlash, Ben Sulayem has remained confident in his leadership. 'I only have to answer to my members. And they are happy. Actually, they are very happy,' he said in a recent interview with Reuters. Yet not all appear to share that view. The Austrian federation's intervention suggests a growing concern among at least part of the FIA's global network, particularly over the appearance of centralised control and reduced institutional checks. A spokesperson for the FIA in London confirmed that Thursday's vote remains on the agenda, though no official response to the OAMTC letter had been issued at time of writing. What's at Stake With South America's motorsport associations, European mobility clubs, and other regional members often taking different stances on governance matters, the upcoming vote in Macau could prove pivotal. A rejection of the changes would signal strong internal resistance and could embolden a potential challenger to Ben Sulayem's leadership. But if the amendments are approved, critics fear it will cement a trend of consolidating power at the top of an organisation increasingly viewed as opaque. Whether Thursday's meeting turns into a procedural formality or a flashpoint for reform remains to be seen. Either way, the credibility of the FIA's governance model — and the balance of power within it — is once again under the spotlight.
The Independent
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Controversial FIA statute voted through to make Mohammed Ben Sulayem's re-election bid ‘harder to challenge'
The FIA have approved statute changes that critics say will make it harder to challenge FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's bid for re-election. A spokesman for Formula 1 's governing body, whose world championships also include rallying and Formula E, said a "resounding majority" voted in favour at the General Assembly meeting in Macau. He gave no figures and there was no immediate reaction from Ben Sulayem, an Emirati who will be standing for a second four-year term in December and is currently unopposed. The Paris-based FIA also groups national motoring associations and campaigns for road safety. Austria's Automobile Association (OAMTC) earlier urged FIA members to vote against the proposed changes in a letter seen by Reuters ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. The unsigned letter emailed to the mobility section of the FIA's world council said the FIA risked lasting damage to its reputation. "There is no urgency regarding these proposed changes,' it added. 'They risk further contributing to the erosion of the FIA's reputation for competent and transparent governance. "It cannot be - and is not - a coincidence that changes relevant to the FIA's elections have been promoted by the FIA's leadership at the same time as the FIA's incumbent president has announced an intention to run in those elections. "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." Ben Sulayem told Reuters last month, when he confirmed he was standing, that he welcomed competition in the name of democracy. Ben Sulayem recognised he had enemies but said he was confident of the support of a majority of FIA members. "I only have to answer to my members. And they are happy. Actually, they are very happy. They are extremely happy," he said. The former rally driver has been involved in several controversies since being elected in 2021 as the first FIA president from the Middle East. He has been at loggerheads with drivers as well as drawing criticism from FIA insiders, while some senior employees have left the organisation. Briton Robert Reid, a former close ally who quit as an FIA deputy president in April, wrote in his resignation statement of a "fundamental breakdown in governance standards" at the governing body. Reid and Motorsport UK head David Richards had opposed other statute changes approved by the General Assembly last December that they said limited the powers of audit and ethics committees.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Controversial FIA statute changes voted through
Controversial changes to the statutes of Formula 1's governing body the FIA have been passed by members despite a warning the organisation is in a "dark period of democratic backsliding". Austria's national motoring club, the OAMTC, criticised the statute changes in a letter to the FIA World Council for Automobile Mobility and Tourism (WCAMT) sent on Wednesday before Thursday's vote at the FIA's General Assembly in Macau. The letter criticised FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's leadership and urged members not to vote for changes proposed by Ben Sulayem - and revealed by BBC Sport last month - on the basis that they "risk further contributing to the erosion of the FIA's reputation for competent and transparent governance". However, members voted for the amendments by 83.35% to 16.65%. Amendments to the ethics code were voted through even more comprehensively, with an 88.83% majority. The result came despite support from the UK, Belgian, Portuguese and Swiss representatives for Austria's suggestion of a postponement so the FIA could conduct a "proper review and analysis" before making a decision on whether the changes were appropriate. An FIA spokesperson described the result as a "resounding majority" however it has not yet responded to a request for comment on the OAMTC letter. The OAMTC letter adds that recent actions of Ben Sulayem "are inviting comparisons with the excesses of political leaders intent on deconstructing the checks and balances that come with responsible governance". And it hints at the prospect of a legal challenge, on the basis that the changes were "endorsed by (FIA) world council meetings that were not properly constituted, having intentionally excluded elected members from participating and voting". David Richards, the MotorsportUK representative on the world council, was among those members barred from a meeting in March in a dispute with Ben Sulayem over refusing to sign a revised confidentially agreement. The OAMTC is led by Oliver Schmerold, who last year voiced his opposition to previous statute changes passed at the last General Assembly in December, describing them as "not good governance" and "not good in terms of checks and balances". The letter says of the proposed changes: Extending the deadline for potential candidates to declare "is intended to discourage opposition". Removing the rule requiring 21 of the 28 members of the world motorsport council to be different nationalities "is intended to stack the WMSC with supporters rather than encourage diversity of opinion" Aligning the terms of office of the audit, ethics and nominations committees with that of the president "would blatantly reduce the independence of oversight bodies" Removing the right to approve or dismiss up to four senate members from the senate and giving it to the president "self-evidently weakens the ability of the senate to perform its oversight functions, including and especially oversight of the president himself. Ben Sulayem's first term of office ends this December and he is so far the only candidate to have confirmed he is standing for election. Rally legend Carlos Sainz has said he is considering running but has not made a final decision. The letter accuses Ben Sulayem of reneging on his promises during his election campaign in 2021 to ensure "governance structures are compliant with best practices". And it says he has implemented none of the "critical changes" that were recommended by a review and audit of the FIA's governance structure commissioned from McKinsey in 2022. It highlights a series of changes that have eroded accountability at the FIA, including: Limiting the power of the ethics committee, saying "ethical enquiries can - in effect - be suppressed" because of the concentration of oversight into the hands of the FIA president and president of the senate. The eradication of the post of compliance office following the sacking of Paolo Basarri from that position last year Centralising decision-making power with the FIA president and president of the senate The imposition of contracts that require FIA personnel to pay a €50,000 fine if they breach confidentiality terms, and the power of the leadership on its own to determine whether this should be paid and why "without having a hearing, time frame, right of appeal or any definition of what confidentiality means".
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Controversial FIA statute changes voted through
Controversial changes to the statutes of Formula 1's governing body the FIA have been passed by members despite a warning the organisation is in a "dark period of democratic backsliding".Austria's national motoring club, the OAMTC, criticised the statute changes in a letter to the FIA World Council for Automobile Mobility and Tourism (WCAMT) sent on Wednesday before Thursday's vote at the FIA's General Assembly in letter criticised FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's leadership and urged members not to vote for changes proposed by Ben Sulayem - and revealed by BBC Sport last month - on the basis that they "risk further contributing to the erosion of the FIA's reputation for competent and transparent governance".However, members voted for the amendments by 83.35% to 16.65%.Amendments to the ethics code were voted through even more comprehensively, with an 88.83% result came despite support from the UK, Belgian, Portuguese and Swiss representatives for Austria's suggestion of a postponement so the FIA could conduct a "proper review and analysis" before making a decision on whether the changes were FIA spokesperson described the result as a "resounding majority" however it has not yet responded to a request for comment on the OAMTC OAMTC letter adds that recent actions of Ben Sulayem "are inviting comparisons with the excesses of political leaders intent on deconstructing the checks and balances that come with responsible governance".And it hints at the prospect of a legal challenge, on the basis that the changes were "endorsed by (FIA) world council meetings that were not properly constituted, having intentionally excluded elected members from participating and voting".David Richards, the MotorsportUK representative on the world council, was among those members barred from a meeting in March in a dispute with Ben Sulayem over refusing to sign a revised confidentially agreement. The OAMTC is led by Oliver Schmerold, who last year voiced his opposition to previous statute changes passed at the last General Assembly in December, describing them as "not good governance" and "not good in terms of checks and balances". The letter says of the proposed changes:Extending the deadline for potential candidates to declare "is intended to discourage opposition".Removing the rule requiring 21 of the 28 members of the world motorsport council to be different nationalities "is intended to stack the WMSC with supporters rather than encourage diversity of opinion"Aligning the terms of office of the audit, ethics and nominations committees with that of the president "would blatantly reduce the independence of oversight bodies"Removing the right to approve or dismiss up to four senate members from the senate and giving it to the president "self-evidently weakens the ability of the senate to perform its oversight functions, including and especially oversight of the president Sulayem's first term of office ends this December and he is so far the only candidate to have confirmed he is standing for election. Rally legend Carlos Sainz has said he is considering running but has not made a final letter accuses Ben Sulayem of reneging on his promises during his election campaign in 2021 to ensure "governance structures are compliant with best practices".And it says he has implemented none of the "critical changes" that were recommended by a review and audit of the FIA's governance structure commissioned from McKinsey in highlights a series of changes that have eroded accountability at the FIA, including:Limiting the power of the ethics committee, saying "ethical enquiries can - in effect - be suppressed" because of the concentration of oversight into the hands of the FIA president and president of the eradication of the post of compliance office following the sacking of Paolo Basarri from that position last yearCentralising decision-making power with the FIA president and president of the senateThe imposition of contracts that require FIA personnel to pay a €50,000 fine if they breach confidentiality terms, and the power of the leadership on its own to determine whether this should be paid and why "without having a hearing, time frame, right of appeal or any definition of what confidentiality means".
