Formula 1: Key figures barred from FIA meeting after refusing to sign NDA in dispute with Mohammed Ben Sulayem

A dispute has emerged within the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body of Formula 1 (F1), with several key figures being barred from attending the organization's World Motor Sport Council meeting on Wednesday due to disagreements with President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. This internal conflict highlights the challenges in maintaining unity and transparency within the organization.

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), FIA Vice President for Sport Robert Reid and UK representative David Richards, among others, were denied entry for refusing to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). This agreement prohibited members from discussing FIA-related matters outside of formal meetings, raising concerns about freedom of expression within the council.

Insiders revealed that Ben Sulayem demanded the signing of this new NDA, which is stricter than the documents members were previously bound by, due to his concerns about media leaks. Currently, legal letters have been exchanged between the parties involved, and the dispute has raised questions about the legitimacy of decisions made by the World Council, including the rules for the upcoming F1 season. This situation underscores the importance of trust and open communication in effective governance.

Of particular note is the confirmation of the rule mandating at least two pit stops during the Monaco Grand Prix. The FIA statutes stipulate that members of the World Motor Sport Council "may attend any meeting" and "shall have the right to vote." Both Reid and Richards declined to comment when interviewed by the BBC, further fueling speculation about the severity of the internal rift.

An FIA spokesperson stated: "Like all organizations, including the BBC, the FIA implements procedures, including NDAs, to ensure confidentiality between all parties, protect personal information, and safeguard our regulatory interests. Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information undermines our ability to fully perform our mission and generate revenue to support our member clubs in achieving our shared goals of expanding motorsport participation, increasing accessibility, and fostering innovation." The spokesperson also stated that the measures they have taken to maintain confidentiality are supported by the vast majority of WMSC members. This reinforces the organization's commitment to protecting sensitive information and maintaining operational integrity.

Since taking office in December 2021, Emirati Ben Sulayem has been the subject of much controversy, including his views on women, his approach to F1, constitutional changes that reduce accountability, the dismissal of several senior figures, and rule changes regarding the public conduct of F1 drivers. Furthermore, in 2023, Susie Wolff, the wife of Mercedes F1 team boss Toto Wolff and head of the all-female F1 Academy series, also filed a lawsuit against the FIA after a compliance investigation into the Wolffs was launched and then withdrawn within two days. These issues highlight the challenges of leadership and the need for transparency and accountability in governing international sports organizations.

Reid was a key member of Ben Sulayem's presidential team, but the Scotsman, a former rally navigator, has fallen out of favor with the FIA President. In recent months, Ben Sulayem has increasingly complained about what he perceives as bias against him in the British media, and Reid appears to have been grouped into this category in his mind. Richards also supported Ben Sulayem in the 2021 election, but he publicly opposed the constitutional changes introduced last December. This demonstrates the shifting dynamics and potential for disagreements within the FIA leadership.

Ben Sulayem is up for re-election at the end of his first term this December. No one has yet come forward to oppose him. FIA insiders speculate that Ben Sulayem's actions regarding the NDA may stem from concerns about negative press coverage or because he plans to further amend the constitution at the General Assembly in June, making it difficult for anyone to compete against him in the election. This raises questions about the future direction of the FIA and the potential for further internal conflicts.