Richards’ criticism is particularly directed at FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, whose four-year term at the helm of the governing body ends this December. However, Ben Sulayem is expected to seek re-election, but Richards is calling for significant changes within the organisation. Essentially, he questions Ben Sulayem’s ability to continue leading the FIA.
Richards is a highly influential figure in the motorsport world. He once served as Ari Vatanen’s co-driver in the WRC and later became team principal for Subaru’s rally team. He also held the same role in Formula 1 with Benetton and BAR. Subaru’s WRC operations were managed by Prodrive, Richards’ own team. Additionally, he owns the Aston Martin sports car brand.
The British motorsport veteran accuses Ben Sulayem of breaking promises. Recently, Richards refused to sign the FIA’s non-disclosure agreement (NDA), which resulted in him being barred from attending the latest FIA Motorsport Council meeting.
“I’m afraid that over the last three years there has been a distinct failure to meet these promises,” Richards wrote.
“In fact, the situation has progressively worsened with media reports confirming that numerous senior members of the FIA and volunteer officials have either been fired or have resigned under an opaque cloud.”
Like Richards, FIA deputy president Robert Reid also refused to sign a new agreement.
“The final straw for me, three weeks ago, was being asked to sign a new confidentiality agreement that I regarded as a ‘gagging order’. The key clauses I objected to were: everything was now considered confidential, without any qualification, preventing me from necessarily sharing what I considered to be relevant information,” Richards fumed.
“The FIA, at its own discretion, could decide if anyone breached the terms of the new confidentiality agreement with no process or frame of reference [and] there was an immediate fine of €50,000 for any breach and threat of undisclosed damages.”
Particularly in rallying circles, there has been frustration with Ben Sulayem and the FIA, as the sport has failed to progress in recent years. The latest development was the establishment of the World Rally Drivers’ Association (WoRDA), which issued a statement expressing concerns over the FIA’s strict policies on language and swearing.
