FIA President to Oversee Ethics Complaints

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has approved changes to its statutes, revising the governance of its Audit and Ethics Committees to enhance transparency and governance in motorsport, including Formula 1. Under the new structure, the FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, now holds direct authority over ethics complaints, particularly those concerning conflicts of interest, unethical behavior, or code of ethics violations. The Ethics Committee will report to both the FIA President and the President of the Senate, Carmelo Sanz de Barros, instead of solely to the Senate as before. Key amendments under Articles 17 and 18 of the FIA Statutes include:

1. Dual Reporting Structure: The Ethics Committee now reports to both the FIA President and Senate President, a move aimed at enhancing independence but criticized for potentially compromising the impartiality of investigations.
2. Limited Report Distribution: To protect confidentiality and prevent media leaks, report distribution will be restricted, although the FIA leadership may still involve other stakeholders in acting on recommendations.
3. Enhanced Confidentiality: Sensitive reports, including those involving criminal or safeguarding issues, will have limited circulation to protect individuals involved.

While the FIA claims these changes will strengthen ethical governance and efficiency, critics argue that increased presidential oversight could create conflicts of interest and diminish the committee’s independence. Concerns also center on transparency, accountability, and ensuring fairness in investigations, potentially leading to legal challenges.