FIA’s Mohammed Ben Sulayem says future of motorsport on the ‘right track’

Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who recently spoke at the FIA World Motor Sport Council during the FIA General Assemblies Week, emphasised that the future of motorsport is being increasingly shaped by “innovation and purpose”.

The Emirati former rally driver, now at the helm of motorsport’s global governing body, underscored the importance of progress and a strong foundation as the FIA marks its 120th anniversary. “Together, we are forging the future of global motorsport, and as we celebrate 120 years of the FIA, we honour the achievements of our past while propelling ourselves to a future driven by innovation and purpose,” said Ben Sulayem, reflecting on the organisation’s milestones.

Ben Sulayem was elected FIA president three years ago this month.

2024: A year of growth and strengthened leadership

Ben Sulayem described 2024 as a year of change and growth for the FIA, highlighting significant strides in strengthening the federation. He pointed to key investments in grassroots motorsport worldwide, along with advancements in safety protocols, and the development of initiatives supporting volunteers and officials.

The FIA president also introduced the ‘Vision 2030: FIA Motorsport Strategy’, a long-term blueprint designed to fuel the sport’s expansion. While details are set to be fully unveiled in 2025, Ben Sulayem expressed confidence that the strategy would provide the necessary platform for motorsport to thrive globally.

“This year has been a time of change and growth. We have built a stronger organisation, redefining our leadership with high-level appointments that bring a wealth of professional experience to the federation,” he added.

Stronger partnerships

A key highlight for Ben Sulayem in 2024 was the ongoing collaboration with Formula 1, led by Stefano Domenicali. The partnership between the FIA and F1 continued to yield success, with the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season being described as record-breaking and fiercely competitive. Ben Sulayem took the opportunity to praise the achievements of McLaren, who clinched their first Constructors’ Championship in 26 years after a thrilling finale in Abu Dhabi.

“We continue our collaboration with Formula 1 and General Motors as we move towards an eleventh team on the grid from 2026,” Ben Sulayem said, alluding to the expansion plans for the sport.

Financial sustainability and long-term strategy

Financially, Ben Sulayem reported positive developments, revealing that the FIA is steadily improving its financial health. “We continue to implement a strong commercial strategy and robust accounting process, reducing our deficit and successfully meeting our objective of being a financially sustainable federation,” he said, underscoring the importance of fiscal responsibility as the body moves into the next phase of its evolution.

In another key development, Ben Sulayem and Stefano Domenicali reflected on the record-breaking length of the 2024 Formula 1 season, the longest in the history of the sport.

The success of the single-seater pyramid, from karting through to Formula 1, was also acknowledged, with Ben Sulayem noting that four drivers will make the jump from FIA Formula 2 to F1 in 2025.

New technical regulations and AI integration

The World Motor Sport Council, which convened in Kigali, also approved several crucial technical changes.

A new set of 2027 Technical Regulations for the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) was greenlighted, with a focus on reducing costs, enhancing flexibility, and promoting sustainability. The new regulations are expected to usher in innovative design options, enabling a wider variety of production car shapes and bespoke rally designs to compete.

Furthermore, the association revealed plans to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to bolster decision-making processes. The association’s Technical and Safety Department is working on introducing AI systems that will enhance the level of information available to decision-makers to improve safety and operational efficiency across all FIA-sanctioned motorsport events.

FIA’s future on track

As the entity continues to evolve, Ben Sulayem remains focused on driving the organisation toward a future shaped by technological innovation and sustainability. The forthcoming Vision 2030 strategy and the FIA’s ongoing commitment to improving the motorsport ecosystem are expected to further elevate the sport’s global profile, aligning it with the shifting demands of the modern world.

“We are on the right track,” Ben Sulayem concluded, signalling a confident outlook for the association’s future in a rapidly changing global sports landscape.