Mohammed Ben Sulayem faces accusations of power grab as leaked FIA document reveals draconian reforms – A leaked internal FIA document dated 13 May 2025 has sparked a political firestorm in international motorsport, revealing proposed reforms by President Mohammed Ben Sulayem that critics claim are designed to eliminate opposition and consolidate power. The revelations, first published by BBC journalist Andrew Benson, point to sweeping changes that could fundamentally alter the way the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is run.
Instead of the transparency and structural independence promised by Ben Sulayem when he took office, the leaked reforms suggest an increasingly autocratic direction. From dismantling independent oversight bodies to redefining the eligibility criteria for future presidential candidates, the measures have been interpreted by some within the FIA and the wider motorsport community as a deliberate attempt to dismantle internal checks and balances.
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A secret blueprint for control
According to the leaked document, one of the most alarming proposals is a clause that would allow the FIA to block presidential candidates on vague “integrity” grounds. Critics argue that such language is ripe for subjective interpretation and could be used selectively to sideline perceived threats.
Carlos Sainz Sr, a former world rally champion and father of Ferrari F1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr, is widely believed to be one of the key figures potentially targeted by the proposal. The document reportedly cites his relationship with his son as a potential conflict of interest, an interpretation described by insiders as “manufactured” and “politically convenient”.
The document also outlines Ben Sulayem’s intention to take full control of Senate appointments and bring forward the dates of General Assembly elections, changes that would allow the current administration to maintain a tighter grip on the direction and leadership of the FIA. It also proposes to align the mandates of the ethics and audit committees with the president’s own term of office, effectively removing their autonomy and allowing the leadership to select politically aligned oversight members.
“This is not governance, this is abuse of power,” an anonymous FIA source told the BBC, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.
“The FIA is supposed to be a watchdog for fairness, but it refuses to police itself.”
Undermining independent oversight
The growing concentration of authority around Ben Sulayem has not happened in a vacuum. In March 2025, two of the four members of the FIA’s audit committee – David Richards and Hugh Reed – were abruptly dismissed. Both had refused to sign a last-minute non-disclosure agreement ahead of a scheduled World Motor Sport Council meeting, raising questions about the transparency of the organisation’s internal dealings.
The Audit Committee was originally designed to act as an independent watchdog over FIA executives, including the president himself. The sacking of half of its members, particularly after objections to new confidentiality requirements, has raised red flags about the systematic dismantling of internal opposition.
The trigger for these sackings, according to insiders, may have been Ben Sulayem’s alleged attempt to speed up commercial deals that could have breached the FIA’s agreement with the European Commission. The NDA was seen by some as a way of silencing potential whistleblowers.
“These weren’t resignations,” remarked one insider.
“They were sackings, and they were done to pave the way for unchecked commercial deals.”
Web of conflicts and controversies
The president’s growing list of controversies paints a worrying picture. Among the most high-profile was his alleged attempt to interfere with Fernando Alonso’s podium finish at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Although the matter was eventually resolved, it raised questions about whether the FIA’s leadership was too closely involved in the outcome of races.
More damaging are the allegations surrounding Ben Sulayem’s apparent lobbying for Cadillac to enter F1. His brother is rumoured to have business links with both DP World and General Motors, partners in the Cadillac venture. The perceived conflict of interest has led to internal scrutiny and raised concerns among rival manufacturers and existing teams.
In addition, the president’s past public statements have reportedly attempted to depress the value of Formula One by casting doubt on its governance, in turn allegedly making it more attractive to Middle Eastern investors. These actions were seen by Liberty Media and several teams as deliberate destabilisation tactics designed to shift commercial leverage.
Legal storm brewing
The FIA is also facing legal pressure on several fronts. Suzie Wolff, director of the F1 Academy and wife of Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, has filed a libel suit after being implicated – without evidence – in an information leak scandal that briefly engulfed the paddock last year. The FIA have not produced any conclusive evidence to support their claims.
Meanwhile, Hitech GP team principal Ollie Oakes has launched a legal action against the FIA for blocking the team’s entry to the 2025 F1 grid. Hitech GP had reportedly met all the financial and technical criteria, and critics have suggested that their exclusion was politically motivated.
“The hypocrisy is appalling,” said one senior paddock figure.
“They demand transparency and fairness from the teams, but refuse to apply the same standards to themselves. It’s a system that now protects the powerful and punishes dissent.”
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Rewriting the ethical compass
Reforms implemented in late 2024 have already shifted the power dynamics within the FIA. The Ethics Commission and the Nominations Committee – bodies originally designed to ensure the moral and structural integrity of the leadership – were quietly reshaped under Ben Sulayem’s leadership. Changes to the FIA’s statutes now give the president indirect control over the selection of members of these commissions, removing their independence.
Under the newly proposed reforms, elections to these oversight bodies would be synchronised with presidential terms, further reducing the potential for conflict or dissent during a sitting president’s term. This synchronisation could effectively turn them into ceremonial bodies rather than critical checks and balances.
In an organisation that governs high-risk motorsport, oversees billion-dollar deals and acts as the primary arbiter of safety, fairness and competition, the removal of independent oversight is seen by some as a chilling development.
“This is not about efficiency,” said one veteran observer.
“This is about political survival and concentration of influence. It’s not the FIA anymore. It’s Ben Sulayem Inc.”
A reckoning approaches
The FIA’s General Assembly is due to vote on the proposed constitutional changes in June. With the governance reforms now out in the open and widespread discontent simmering among members and stakeholders, the vote is shaping up to be a defining moment in the organisation’s history.
If the proposals are approved, Ben Sulayem will emerge with more formal authority than any FIA president in recent memory. But if the Assembly rejects them, it could set the stage for an open leadership challenge – possibly from within his own ranks.
The implications go beyond motorsport governance. Formula One, the World Rally Championship, Formula E and other disciplines all rely on the FIA not only to set the rules, but also to uphold the spirit of fair play. If fans, sponsors and manufacturers lose confidence in the neutrality and integrity of the sport’s governing body, the damage could extend far beyond Paris.
The central question now being asked, both inside and outside the paddock, is simple but profound: if the FIA is no longer prepared to be audited or held to account, who will regulate the regulator?
The story is far from over. In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on the General Assembly. What happens in that room may well determine the course of international motorsport for years to come.
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With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
Wars are being fought because of dictators. Let’s not have another one in motorsport. He has to be de-throned.