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Russell Slams FIA After Resignation of Senior Official Amid Governance Crisis
Formula 1 driver George Russell has voiced serious concerns about the state of the FIA, following the shock resignation of one of its senior figures, Robert Reid. The Mercedes driver, who also serves as the president of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), did not hold back in his criticism, calling out what he perceives as ongoing instability within F1’s governing body.
Reid, who had held the position of FIA Deputy President for Sport, announced his decision to step down last week, citing a “fundamental breakdown in governance standards” within the organization. His departure has added to a growing list of high-profile exits from the FIA in recent months, fuelling speculation of deeper internal issues.
Speaking during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, Russell said Reid’s resignation came as no real surprise. “Whenever there’s news coming out of the FIA, unfortunately, it doesn’t really shock anyone anymore,” Russell commented. “It’s disappointing to lose someone who is so widely respected in the paddock and who has contributed a great deal to the sport over the years. We can only hope that this situation leads to more stability moving forward.”
Despite Russell’s own strong start to the 2025 F1 season—having already secured three podium finishes in the first four races—he expressed deep concern over the direction the sport is heading, particularly regarding its governance.
“It feels like we’re on a path that’s becoming more and more unstable,” he said. “As drivers, we’ve tried to be more involved in discussions about how the sport is run, but our efforts haven’t led to much progress. It’s frustrating when it feels like we’re not being listened to, even when issues keep cropping up.”
Tensions between Reid and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem had reportedly been building for some time. Reid joined the leadership team under Ben Sulayem’s presidency in 2021, but the relationship between the two deteriorated, culminating in Reid’s scathing resignation statement.
In response, the FIA issued a formal statement thanking Reid for his service, saying, “The FIA is grateful for Robert Reid’s contribution to the organization and to motorsport in general. The FIA maintains exceptionally robust corporate governance policies, which guide all our operations to ensure our rules and processes are followed.”
Reid’s departure is just the latest in a string of notable exits from the FIA’s leadership in the past year. Former F1 race director Niels Wittich and experienced steward Tim Mayer both stepped down in November. Earlier in May 2024, the FIA’s first-ever CEO, Natalie Robyn, also resigned. Since leaving, Robyn has been open about the difficulties of working within the upper echelons of the organization, pointing to internal challenges and a culture that many insiders have described as resistant to change.
As the FIA faces mounting criticism and increasing turnover among senior officials, Russell and many within the F1 community are calling for clearer direction and stronger leadership. With the season underway and attention already on the racing, off-track issues within the governing body are threatening to overshadow the sport’s progress.
