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Robert Reid has resigned from his role as deputy president for sport at the FIA and accused motorsport’s global governing body of a “breakdown in governance standards”.
Reid has had a number of disagreements with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem in recent months and his resignation comes after Motorsport UK chair David Richards also accused the FIA of a “shift in moral compass”.
Ben Sulayem, who has been involved in a number of controversies since he took to the helm of the FIA, is expected to stand for re-election when his four-year term expires in December.
Reid’s statement read: ‘I took on this role to help 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.’
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FIA statutes were changed at the last FIA general assembly, with some suggesting the move amounted to a reduction in accountability.
Richards said last month that he was barred from taking part in a meeting of the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council, which meets regularly to discuss the governance of all forms of motorsport including Formula One, after electing against signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
The NDA would outlaw individuals from discussing matters relating to the FIA away from council meetings and Richards says he viewed its introduction as a “gagging order”.
Responding to Reid’s resignation, an FIA spokesperson said: “The FIA is grateful for Robert Reid’s contribution to the FIA and to motorsport more widely. The FIA has exceptionally robust corporate governance policies which guide our operations and ensure our rules, practices and processes are adhered to.”
Meanwhile, in her first interview since leaving the FIA in May 2024, former chief executive Natalie Robyn told the BBC that the governing body has “serious ongoing structural challenges” and said recent developments “threaten both the credibility and the long-term effectiveness of an important institution.”
“During my tenure as CEO, I worked under challenging circumstances to strengthen the federation’s governance framework and upgrade its operational transparency,” she said. “The resignation of the deputy president of sport clearly indicates there are serious ongoing structural challenges.
“When professional processes are not adhered to and stakeholders are excluded from decision-making, it undermines the foundation of a strong organisation.”
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