
FIA Branded 'Power Without Brakes' in Scathing Governance Report
A critical report commissioned by former presidential candidate Tim Mayer has labeled the FIA as 'power without brakes,' warning of an 'existential threat' to its governance and processes. Mayer, who formally withdrew from the presidential race, cited restrictive election rules and a lack of genuine democratic choice within the organization. The report suggests that the FIA's structure centralizes authority, undermines accountability, and could face significant external pressure for reform if internal changes aren't made.
Why it matters:
After years of relative stability, a report this critical from a former insider suggests deep-seated issues within the FIA's governance. If accurate, these findings could undermine the federation's legitimacy and potentially trigger calls for external intervention, impacting how Formula 1 and other motorsports are regulated globally. The accusations of a system designed to ensure continuity rather than democratic renewal raise serious questions about transparency and accountability at the highest levels of international motorsport.
The details:
- Withdrawal from Candidacy: Tim Mayer formally dropped out of the FIA presidential race on October 17th, citing an inability to fulfill the requirement of announcing a full top team.
- Restrictive Election Rules: A key sticking point was the limited number of approved candidates from certain regions, specifically South America, where only one candidate, Fabiana Ecclestone (wife of ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone), was approved. Ecclestone's declared support for incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem effectively blocked Mayer's bid, as candidates can only appear on one presidential list.
- The Geeraert Report: Mayer presented a report by Dr. Arnout Geeraert of Utrecht University, an expert in sports governance, at a press conference in Austin. The report outlines several critical findings:
- Presidency with near total control: The system relies on the individual in office rather than institutional checks.
- Democracy without choice: Elections are conducted, but members have the right to vote, not to choose, ensuring leadership continuity over democratic renewal.
- Oversight that obeys the boss: Oversight functions appear to enforce compliance but largely consolidate executive authority.
- Transparency that hides the truth: Information shared is only that which is 'safe' to disclose.
- Accountability without enforcement: Rules are rarely invoked, making accountability procedural rather than practical.
- Good causes as window dressing: Social responsibility acts as public messaging without independent evaluation.
- Low Governance Score: The FIA scored 45% in governance, significantly lower than the FEI (83%) and FIFA (61%), performing poorly on rule application despite adequate written rules.
- Power without brakes: The system's reliance on personal virtue over institutional control invites crisis.
- Existential threat: The current model trades resilience for control, making the federation vulnerable to a single governance shock.
What's next:
- Ben Sulayem's Re-election: With Mayer's withdrawal, Mohammed Ben Sulayem is now expected to be re-elected for a second four-year term in December, facing no formal opposition.
- External Pressure for Reform: The report predicts that reform pressure will likely come from outside the FIA. If the organization fails to establish internal checks and balances, its members and sponsors may be compelled, both legally and reputationally, to apply them. This could lead to a significant restructuring of how the FIA operates, potentially forcing greater transparency and accountability.
Between the lines:
This report paints a stark picture of an organization whose governance structure may be inherently flawed. The inability of a candidate like Mayer to even mount a challenge due to perceived systemic roadblocks highlights a potential lack of genuine electoral competition. While Ben Sulayem's re-election appears secured, the findings of this report could fuel discontent among member clubs and potentially trigger a long-term push for fundamental changes to the FIA's constitution and operational practices, ensuring its future legitimacy and ethical standing in global motorsport.
Original Article :https://racingnews365.com/fia-branded-power-without-brakes-in-scathing-review