The FIA’s president for sport Robert Reid has resigned, citing a “standards breakdown” in Formula 1’s governing body.
It is the latest senior resignation at the FIA in the last 18 months as Reid appears to have fallen out with president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Reid has been deputy president since Ben Sulayem, who is attending his first F1 race this weekend at the Bahrain Grand Prix, was elected at the end of 2021.
“When I took on this role, it was to serve the FIA’s members; not to serve power,” Reid said in a statement seen by Sky Sports News.
“Over time, I have witnessed a steady erosion of the principles we promised to uphold. Decisions are being made behind closed doors, bypassing the very structures and people the FIA exists to represent.
“My resignation is not about personalities; it is about principles. Motorsport deserves leadership that is accountable, transparent and member-driven. I can no longer, in good faith, remain part of a system that does not reflect those values.”
Last year, several senior figures parted ways with the FIA, including its sporting director, F1 technical director, digital director, head of commercial legal affairs, governance and regulatory director, race director, the head of the women in motorsport commission, secretary general of mobility and director of communications.
Most notable were race director Niels Wittich and leading steward Tim Mayer effectively being sacked last November.
Sky Sports News has approached the FIA for comment.
The FIA is F1’s governing body
Former CEO reveals challenges at FIA
Former FIA chief executive Natalie Robyn has spoken out on F1’s governing body for the first time after leaving her role in May 2024.
“During my tenure as CEO, I worked under challenging circumstances to strengthen the federation’s governance framework and upgrade its operational transparency,” she told BBC Sport.
“The resignation of the deputy president of sport clearly indicates there are serious ongoing structural challenges.
“When professional processes are not adhered to and stakeholders are excluded from decision-making, it undermines the foundation of a strong organisation.
“I am saddened to see these developments, as they threaten both the credibility and the long-term effectiveness of an important institution.”
In an ‘unprecedented’ situation last year, all 20 F1 drivers criticised – via the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association – FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem for his response to the recent swearing saga
What is happening at the FIA?
Ben Sulayem has been surrounded by controversy over the last 12 months after an FIA whistle-blower accused him of interfering with the outcome of the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The 63-year-old was also accused of telling FIA officials to not certify the circuit for the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix. Both claims were dismissed.
He was criticised by Lewis Hamilton for using stereotypical language when he made a comparison to rappers in an interview, where he spoke about wanting to see less foul language on the team radio. The FIA declined to comment at the time.
Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater explains how the FIA’s Ethics Committee proposals will affect Formula 1 investigations going forward
In December, the FIA voted through controversial rule changes that would effectively limit the ways in which its leadership can be held accountable.
The changes meant the FIA ethics committee will only carry out an initial assessment to determine whether an in-depth investigation is necessary. FIA president Ben Sulayem and the president of the senate, Carmelo Sanz De Barros, will have the power to decide whether to take further action on any ethics complaints.
The FIA is also being sued by F1 Academy director Susie Wolff after a conflict of interest inquiry into her and husband Toto Wolff in December 2023, which was abandoned after two days.
Motorsport UK chairman David Richards is also in dispute with Ben Sulayem, who is up for re-election and currently unopposed.
Sky Sports F1’s Bahrain GP schedule
Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle explains how to win the Bahrain Grand Prix
Friday April 11
- 8.50am: F3 Practice
- 10am: F2 Practice
- 12pm: Bahrain GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)*
- 1.55pm: F3 Qualifying
- 2.40pm: F2 Qualifying
- 3.35pm: Bahrain GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)
- 5.15pm: The F1 Show
Saturday April 12
- 11.10am: F3 Sprint Race
- 1.15pm: Bahrain GP Practice Three (session starts at 1.30pm)
- 3.10pm: F2 Sprint
- 4.10pm: Bahrain GP Qualifying build-up
- 5pm: BAHRAIN GP QUALIFYING
- 7pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday April 13
- 10.50am: F3 Feature Race
- 12.20pm: F2 Feature Race
- 2.30pm: Bahrain GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday
- 4pm: THE BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX
- 6pm: Bahrain GP reaction: Chequered Flag
- 7pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 continues its triple-header in Sakhir at the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
