Motorsport UK threatens FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem with legal action over governance dispute

The presidency of Mohammed Ben Sulayem at the FIA has come under intense scrutiny, with David Richards, chairman of Motorsport UK, leading a strong critique of his leadership. Citing governance failures and a lack of transparency, Richards has threatened legal action against the FIA, amplifying tensions within the global motorsport community.

David Richards, a former Formula 1 team principal and a well-respected figure in motorsport, has openly challenged Ben Sulayem’s tenure, highlighting what he describes as an erosion of accountability within the FIA. In a strongly worded letter to members of Motorsport UK, Richards referred to the recent imposition of a new confidentiality agreement as a "gagging order," marking what he called the "final straw" in a series of concerning decisions.
Richards, alongside several FIA members, including deputy president of sport Robert Reid, was barred from attending a World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) meeting after refusing to sign the controversial agreement. This agreement, he argues, imposed excessive restrictions, with an immediate €50,000 fine for breaches and discretionary enforcement by the FIA without clear guidelines. “For some time now I've had concerns about the erosion of accountability and good governance within the FIA,” Richards stated, expressing his frustration over the governing body's handling of internal matters.

Richards’ dissatisfaction with Ben Sulayem stems from a perceived failure to uphold key election promises. Motorsport UK initially supported the Emirati’s bid for FIA presidency over British candidate Graham Stoker, believing he would introduce a “hands-off” leadership style, delegate day-to-day affairs to a professional team, and prioritize transparency. However, Richards argues that the situation has "progressively worsened," with senior officials either dismissed or resigning under unclear circumstances.
In his letter, Richards outlined specific governance issues, including the weakening of the FIA’s audit and ethics committees and the removal of officials who questioned controversial decisions. “The scope of the audit and ethics committees has been severely limited and now lacks autonomy from the authority of the president,” he wrote, noting that a UK representative was dismissed for raising concerns. He further criticized Ben Sulayem’s leadership, citing past controversies, including his views on women in motorsport, questionable F1 regulations, and reported internal conflicts.
The FIA’s handling of confidential matters has also been questioned, with Richards acknowledging that some leaks have occurred but warning against blanket restrictions. “No-one, least of all myself, would dispute the fact that certain matters must be treated as confidential and sensitive for external release. However, we should not allow that basic truth to be misused in order to create a blanket gagging order,” he emphasized.
Motorsport UK has demanded clarity from the FIA, but according to Richards, no satisfactory response has been received. “We have informed the FIA that, unless they address the issues we've raised, we will be engaging in further legal action,” he confirmed.
This controversy comes at a time when the FIA is already facing legal battles, including a lawsuit filed by Susie Wolff, managing director of the F1 Academy, regarding a conflict-of-interest inquiry involving her husband, Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff. Meanwhile, Ben Sulayem, who has faced allegations of misconduct from former employees, continues to deny wrongdoing and has accused the British media of bias against him.
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With an FIA presidential election on the horizon, the lack of an alternative candidate further complicates the situation. The coming months could determine whether the FIA moves toward reform or remains embroiled in internal strife.