Crisis at the FIA: Vice-President for Sport Robert Reid resigns

Robert Reid, Vice President of the FIA in charge of sport, announced his resignation with immediate effect, pointing to a fundamental breach of governance standards within the governing body of motorsport. Elected in 2021 alongside President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Reid claims he can no longer support a system he deems opaque and centralized.

A breakup linked to decisions made without consultation

In a statement, Reid explains that his decision follows months of internal tensions, marked by unilateral decision-making. He justifies his resignation by expressing growing concern about critical decisions being made without due process or appropriate consultation.

« When I accepted this role, it was to serve the FIA members, not power. Over time, I have witnessed a continuous erosion of the principles we promised to uphold. Decisions are made behind closed doors, bypassing the structures and the very people the FIA is supposed to represent », he states.

Among the examples cited, the FIA’s takeover of the promotion of the World Rallycross Championship, a decision made without the approval of the Senate or the World Motor Sport Council. This approach would contravene a previous commitment that all world championships would have external promoters. Reid believes it could pose a legal risk under European Union competition law and that, for him, it constitutes the final breach of trust and respect for procedure.

The former co-driver and 2001 world rally champion emphasizes the aspect of respect for rules and transparency: « My resignation is not about people, but principles. Motorsport deserves responsible, transparent leadership guided by its members. In good conscience, I can no longer be part of a system that does not reflect these values », he states.

Ben Sulayem under fire

Reid’s resignation comes at an already tense time for Ben Sulayem, whose presidency is marred by controversies: management of financial matters, his views on women, accusations of interference in Grand Prix, the dismissal of several senior officials, and controversial rule changes in Formula 1.

David Richards, Chairman of Motorsport UK, recently wrote an open letter to the members of the organization accusing the FIA of a shift in moral compass.

Richards and Reid were both excluded from a World Council meeting for refusing to sign a confidentiality clause imposed by Ben Sulayem. Richards had threatened the FIA with legal action, calling this measure a gag order.

A Call for Reform

As Ben Sulayem seeks a second term in December 2025, this resignation reignites the debate over his leadership. To date, no official opponent has come forward against him, but rumors suggest that at least one potential candidate is preparing a campaign.

Reid also indicates that his resignation does not mean the end of his involvement in the sport: « This is not the end of my commitment to motorsport. I will continue to advocate for reform, transparency, and governance that respects the FIA members as well as the integrity of our sport.»

The FIA has not yet officially reacted to this resignation, but this governance crisis could have significant repercussions on the future of the organization and on relations with its main partners, particularly Formula 1.