Whilst Formula One is enjoying boom times in the TV ratings, off track there are a number of issues which could derail the entire operation. Firstly, theres huge doubts over the potential ‘Frankenstein’ monster cars which may finally emerge following the FIA biggest car design regulation upheaval in the sport’s 75 years history.
The move for the cars to deliver 50% electrical output alongside the internal combustion engine (ICE) appears to have been too ambitious. It was a stretch target set by certain manufacturers but the reality is coming home to the engineers that at a number of circuits where braking is limited, the battery will run out unless powered by the ICE.
There appeared momentum early this season for the FIA to tweak the current specification for the 2026 new power units, turning down the electrical contribution to around 30-40%. Yet Mercedes who were required for the motion to be accepted, refused to play ball with Toto Wolff describing the attempt as “a joke.”
FIA president’s power grab
Clearly officials at the FIA too are concerned, given the rules are created and sanctioned by the organisation and should some kind of three tier racing emerge in 2026, this would reflect badly on them too. In a bizarre twist in the long running wart between the FIA and FOM, there is now agreement there must be some kind of “catch up” mechanism for 2026 should one or more teams miss the boat, or even one team emerge way ahead of the field – as were Mercedes in 2014.
Yet this truce between F1’s two bodies is not a full peace accord and today news is breaking which could see the two parties ultimately divorce. News is coming in of a vote taking place in Macau, where the International Automobile Federation (FIA) has been meeting to discuss certain constitutional matters. This vote could be the start of an F1 breakaway from the FIA, which is mandated to regulate and police the sport by EU statutes.
Last month on hearing he may not be afforded the usual courtesy of an unopposed process for his re-election as president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has drafted certain resolutions which make it more difficult for a candidate to oppose a sitting FIA president. Most important is the power he is demanding for the presidency to decide whether a person has the required “integrity” to be considered for the role in the first place.
This and other amendments including the shortening the timescale for an opponent to challenge him have been overwhelmingly adopted today. The vote was not close with those in favour of Ben Sulayem’s power grab numbering some 88.35% with those against just 16.65%.
FIA face revolt from founding members
The worrying message from the FIA delegates from today’s action stands in stark contrast to criticism the proposed motions made by a founder member of the FIA in Austria, who were backed by the UK, Switzerland, Belgium and Portugal. The former had written an open letter warning of terminal damage to the FIA should these measures be adopted and instead they suggested the matter be postponed until after the presidential election to take place in December this year.
Austria’s national motoring club (OAMTC) had penned an open letter this week to the FIA warning that the organisation faces a “dark period of democratic backsliding.” The correspondence made a stark comparison between the actions of the FIA president and “the excesses of political leaders intent on deconstructing the checks and balances that come with responsible governance”.
“We brought forward the motion to postpone the vote on the changes to a future assembly as we believe that they inherit some consequences which desire more discussion,” said the OAMTC chief executive Oliver Schmerold, reports the BBC. “This was supported by several other members. The president underlined that the statutory process has been followed and asked for the vote.
“We still believe that it is not good governance to change the longstanding rules for elections only four months before the submission deadline for candidates,” said the Austrian. The letter from the OAMTC also suggested there may be legal action forthcoming in the wake of today’s decision because it was “endorsed by (FIA) world council meetings that were not properly constituted, having intentionally excluded elected members from participating and voting”.
Members banned from attending FIA meetings
For a recent meeting of FIA members, Mohammed Ben Sulayem had insisted those who wished to attend, must for the first time sign a ‘non-disclosure agreement’ despite the meetings being confidential for time and memoriam. The chairman of UK Motorsport, David Richards was one of the members barred from the meeting of the FIA World motorsport council, something to which his objection was made in a most vocal fashion.
Ben Sulayem’s current first four year term as present ends in December and in recent days F1 paddock rumours suggest Carlos Sainz Snr may stand against him in opposition. Whether or not a candidate stands against Ben Sulayem, the overwhelming vote today shows whoever takes on the FIA president now face a monumental task of peeling away support for the Emirati.
The FIA and F1’s CEO have been at loggerheads during Ben Sulayem’s first term, such that a legal “cease and desist” warning was sent to the Emirati following his comments about the FIA owning Formula One and not the commercial rights holders.
Now there is the real prospect should Ben Sulayem retain his role with the FIA, that Formula One will seek an alternative solution to the FIA as the sport’s regulatory body. Whilst this historic move may appear dramatic, it would be just one of many in the field of sport where such high level disputes have led to the break up between a sport and its regulators. The FIA is almost entirely funded by F1 and as such needs the sport – more than F1 needs the FIA.
Sidelined: Stroll decision made
MORE F1 NEWS – Ferrari principal receives ‘the dreaded vote of confidence.’
A quick glance at the Formula One constructors’ championship standings might suggest that in second place, Ferrari are making a fist of the 2025 F1 season. Yet matters couldn’t be further from the truth and the paddock talk in Montreal has been yet again about Lewis Hamilton quitting together with the story which broke this week that the Ferrari group[ chairman may be looking for a new team boss.
With less than ten race weekends complete, Ferrari are a whopping 197 points behind McLaren and their position ahead of Red Bull and Mercedes has been boosted by them competing with teams which do not have two front line drivers, like Hamilton and Leclerc.
The Italian media has been reporting Ferrari are close to finishing up development on the SF-25 and shifting their resources and focus to the big rule changes coming for 2026. At best, the comedy in Maranello is amusing but in reality the team have blown a golden opportunity to fight for their first F1 title in eighteen years…. READ MORE
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.
