In recent weeks the federation has been making a lot of headlines. From the investigation - then interrupted - on the Wolff spouses to the latest resignations, 2024 promises to be a delicate one for the FIA and its president.
Resignation at the top of the FIA
New year, changes ahead. We are witnessing an internal revolution within the federation, with some top figures leaving their posts at a very delicate moment.
After the restructuring of roles desired by Ben Sulayem at the beginning of 2023, with the announcement relating to the Tim Gross's resignation, the FIA remains without all the new figures at the head of the technical and sporting direction. The now former technical director in fact follows Steve in the choice Nielsen, sports director.
But if you say Gross a replacement needs to be found, Nielsen's role has passed into Tim's hands Malyon. It will be the task of the former Red Bull (under Sebastian Vettel) to take care of the race direction and the Remote Operations Center in Geneva, reporting everything to Nikola Tombazis.
Dissatisfaction with the state of affairs within the governing body is just part of the damage trail from the FIA hurricane.
Discontent and uncertainty spread, which the president does not need. He cannot afford it, especially in this climate of calm before the storm that reigns over motorsport, more particularly in the relations between F1 and the federation.
Ben Sulayem on the razor's edge
There is a cold war between the two bodies - FIA and Liberty Media/FOM. The situation is unpleasant especially for the FIA, who thinks he is powerful, but is walking in dangerous lands.
In fact, the relationship is increasingly stormy, and if the laceration was formally avoided, some consequences remain. The FIA investigation into Toto and Susie Wolff has generated a solid wall of F1 teams, a low blow for the president and his political weight towards the category.
It has always been clear that Ben Sulayem aspires to power. Over the years he has reached out to others, behavior which has also affected his credibility. This clashes with the neutrality that a president should have. It is the role that par excellence requires neutrality, thinking about the good of the sport rather than personal interests.
The FIA is experiencing almost a game of Jenga. With the last pieces removed, the tower is in the balance, swaying: it doesn't take much to make it collapse, almost a light breeze. The governing body is essential, there is no doubt about this, but precisely for this reason a change of pace is expected.
In 2024, the FIA must apply the rules uniformly, of course, to regain its status as an authoritative body.
