FIA News: Rob Reid Resigns from the FIA over governance issue
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem faces fresh questions about his leadership, after his deputy president for sport Robert Reid resigned on Thursday.
— Robert Reid (@robertreidwrc) April 10, 2025
Reid, a British Citizen, said he took the decision because of what he says was a “fundamental breakdown in governance standards within motorsport’s global governing body”.
“When I took on this role, it was to serve the FIA’s members; not to serve power,” he explained.
“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.”
What really got Reid’s panties in a knot came after some members of the World Motorsport Council (WMSC), including Reid, were barred from a recent meeting because they had not signed a new non-disclosure agreement.
Reid was left fuming and spoke out against the recent decision by Ben Sulayem to take control of promotion of the World Rallycross Championship – something that his statement says was “an action taken without Senate or World Council approval that could carry legal risk under European Union competition law”.
Reid called this “the final breach of trust and due process”.
“This is not the end of my service to motorsport,” Reid added. “I will continue to advocate for reform, transparency, and governance that respects the FIA’s members and the integrity of our sport.”
Reid Background
Since retiring from competition Reid has held several governance and administration positions within motorsport. He spent several years as the Performance Director of the UK Motor Sport Association establishing elite programs to develop young driver talent in the United Kingdom. More recently he has been working alongside Alexander Wurz to select and train emerging talent at the FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy.
His positions at the FIA have included being Vice-President of the World Rally Championship Commission, the Chair of WRC Stewards and Chair of the International Sporting Code Review Commission. In 2021 he was elected Deputy President for Sport alongside Mohammed bin Sulayem.
Reid, along with Richard Burns, lent his voice and likeness in the 2004 sim rally game Richard Burns Rally as the player’s co-driver.