FIA Announces Controversial Changes in ....

FIA Announces Controversial Changes in ….read more

The 2024 Formula 1 season came to a dramatic conclusion at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last weekend, marking the end of the longest season in the sport’s history. The race at Yas Marina Circuit saw Lando Norris secure a victory, leading McLaren to their first Constructors’ Championship since 1998. Ferrari finished in second place, while Red Bull was relegated to third, primarily due to Sergio Perez’s underwhelming performances throughout the season.

The 2024 season has been fraught with controversy, from heavily debated driver penalties to off-track spats between Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen and the FIA. The governing body of motorsport, the FIA, has faced mounting criticism over its decision-making, particularly in its handling of regulatory matters and communication with drivers. Amid this criticism, the FIA has now announced a series of controversial changes that will significantly shift the balance of power within the organization. The amendments, which primarily concern the FIA’s Ethics Committee, will grant more authority to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

According to the official statement, the FIA has voted to restructure the operations of the Ethics Committee. Under the new changes, investigations into potential issues will only proceed following approval from both FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Carmelo Sanz De Barros, President of the FIA Senate. This decision means that the Ethics Committee will no longer have full autonomy to initiate investigations on its own. Instead, any preliminary investigation must await consent from the FIA’s top officials before it can be escalated further.

The FIA’s statement provided three key justifications for these changes. First, the governing body claims that these adjustments are aimed at enhancing the independence of the Ethics Committee by reducing the involvement of the FIA’s administration in its operations. Previously, the Ethics Committee only reported directly to the FIA President. Now, however, it will report jointly to both the President and the President of the Senate. The Committee will retain the power to independently assess whether or not an investigation should be launched but will now share its findings with a wider body of officials before taking action.

Second, the FIA addressed concerns surrounding the leakage of confidential materials, particularly reports from the Ethics Committee. In recent years, there have been numerous leaks to the media, causing reputational damage and undermining the integrity of investigations. To combat this, the FIA has implemented new protocols that will restrict the distribution of Ethics Committee reports. These reports, which can sometimes involve sensitive or classified information, including potential criminal matters or safeguarding issues, will now only be shared with a limited number of individuals within the FIA. While the President and the President of the Senate can still engage with other members of the Senate or FIA staff on these matters, the distribution will be far more controlled to prevent further leaks.

Lastly, the FIA noted that Ethics Committee reports often contain sensitive material, including confidential or even criminal content, which necessitates limiting the sharing of such information. Protecting the privacy of both the complainant and the individual under investigation is a key priority, and the new rules are designed to ensure that sensitive information remains confidential. This restriction on automatic report sharing aims to safeguard both the individuals involved and the integrity of the investigative process.

The changes to the Ethics Committee’s structure and function come in the wake of mounting pressure on the FIA to improve its governance. The 2024 season, which was marked by controversial decisions on penalties and persistent public disputes, led to widespread dissatisfaction with how the FIA was handling its duties. With these new amendments, the FIA seeks to assert greater control over its investigative processes, but the move has been met with mixed reactions from within the sport. Critics argue that the changes could lead to increased centralization of power and less transparency in the FIA’s decision-making processes.

The FIA’s restructuring of the Ethics Committee is likely to continue to be a topic of debate in the coming months, especially as the governing body faces growing scrutiny over its role in the future of Formula 1 and motorsport. As the 2024 season ends and attention shifts to the upcoming year, the changes could have far-reaching consequences, both for the governance of the sport and the ongoing relationship between the FIA, the teams, and the drivers.