Richards criticises FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem for failing to keep promises – David Richards, Chairman of the British Motor Sport Federation, has launched a scathing attack on FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem, accusing him of failing to deliver on key promises made during his election campaign and allowing the governance of the sport to deteriorate. Richards’ concerns, detailed in a letter to Motorsport UK members, reflect growing discontent within the FIA over Sulayem’s leadership, decision-making and approach to governance.
The latest controversy stems from Richards’ exclusion from the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) meeting over his refusal to sign an additional confidentiality agreement. However, his frustration with the FIA President goes beyond this specific incident as he outlines broader issues relating to transparency, accountability and governance.
Erosion of accountability at the FIA
Writing in a special edition of Motorsport UK’s in-house magazine, Revolution, Richards addressed his concerns directly, stating that he has been “watching the erosion of accountability and good governance within the FIA for some time”.
His comments are the latest in a series of criticisms directed at Sulayem, who has been at the centre of numerous controversies since taking up his post in 2021.
Richards’ comments highlight the growing unease among FIA members about the direction of the governing body under Sulayem’s leadership. The FIA President has frequently been in the headlines for controversial decisions, and now a senior official within the motorsport world has publicly questioned his leadership.
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The election of Mohammed bin Sulayem and unfulfilled promises
Richards began his letter by revisiting the 2021 FIA presidential election in which Sulayem emerged victorious over British candidate Graham Stoker. He explained why Motorsport UK had initially backed Sulayem, noting that despite having a British candidate in the race, the board had been swayed by the “well thought out plans” presented by Sulayem’s campaign.
“Many of you may have been surprised that we did not support the British candidate, Graham Stoker,” Richards admitted.
“But the board met with both teams and was convinced by the well-thought-out plans presented by Mohammed’s campaign team, which were broadly in line with our own vision of how the FIA should change.”
However, he now regrets the decision, pointing out that Sulayem failed to deliver on key commitments made during his campaign.
“The key points of her presentation were: a low-key president who will not be operational and will leave the day-to-day running of the FIA to a professional executive team; the appointment of a competent and empowered CEO who will lead the FIA to professional standards; and full transparency of actions with the highest standards of sports governance.”
Richards now believes that “these promises have clearly not been kept”.
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The FIA’s deteriorating governance under Sulayem
Richards argued that rather than improving, the FIA’s governance has deteriorated over the past three years. He pointed to media reports indicating that numerous senior FIA officials and volunteers have either resigned or been dismissed under unclear circumstances.
“In fact, the situation has deteriorated, as confirmed by media reports showing that numerous senior FIA members and volunteer officials have either been dismissed or resigned under unclear circumstances,” he said.
He also raised concerns about the FIA’s internal oversight mechanisms, saying that the Audit and Ethics Committees had been stripped of their independence. “The scope of the audit and ethics committees has been significantly reduced, meaning that they can no longer act independently of the president,” he noted.
Richards also accused the FIA of targeting individuals who question its decisions.
“Our UK representative who questioned certain things was summarily removed – as was the chairman of the audit committee,” he revealed.
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New confidentiality agreement: A gag order?
Richards’ immediate complaint stems from a recent dispute over a confidentiality agreement he was required to sign before attending a WMSC meeting.
He described this new requirement as a “gag order” that went beyond reasonable expectations of confidentiality.
“When I was asked to sign a new confidentiality agreement, I felt it was a gag order,” Richards said, explaining that he had already signed a confidentiality agreement when he joined the WMSC in 2021 and was bound by the FIA’s Code of Ethics.
However, the new agreement introduced stricter provisions and gave the FIA discretion to decide whether someone had breached the terms – without clear procedures or oversight.
“The new confidentiality agreement went far beyond these obligations,” said Richards. “I was given only one week’s notice and informed that if I did not sign it, I would be excluded from the next meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.”
He also revealed that the new agreement contained severe financial penalties. “Any breach would have resulted in an immediate fine of €50,000 and the threat of unspecified damages,” he said.
Richards ultimately refused to sign the agreement and was subsequently excluded from the WMSC meeting. He is now considering legal action against the FIA, but has yet to receive a response from the governing body.
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What next for the FIA and Sulayem?
Richards’ criticism comes at a crucial time for the FIA, with the governing body set to elect a new president later this year. Sulayem has already announced his intention to stand for re-election, but as yet has no official challengers.
His leadership has come under intense scrutiny over the past year as tensions between the FIA and Formula One have grown. Ongoing friction with F1’s commercial rights holders, Liberty Media, has already put a strain on his presidency, and now infighting within the FIA itself is adding to the controversy.
Richards’ comments could influence how FIA member organisations view Sulayem’s leadership ahead of the upcoming election. If more FIA members echo his concerns, it could lead to a stronger challenge to Sulayem’s re-election bid.
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Final thoughts: A growing rift within the FIA
Richards’ public condemnation of Sulayem marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate about governance within the FIA. His concerns about accountability, transparency and internal politics paint a troubling picture of how the organisation is being run under Sulayem’s leadership.
With an FIA presidential election looming, it remains to be seen whether Richards’ criticisms will lead to further opposition to Sulayem, or whether the current president will continue unchallenged. One thing is clear: the cracks within the FIA are becoming more visible and the future of its leadership is now under intense scrutiny.
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