Motorsport executive David Richards charges at FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem over transparency failure in escalating leadership crisis

In an unprecedented heightening of tensions within the world of motorsport, the chairman of Prodrive and Motorsport UK, David Pender Richards, has publicly berated FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem for failing in transparency and centralising power within the organisation. The public row marks a broader governance struggle that has the potential to redefine Formula 1 leadership and global motorsport governance.

David Richards raises alarm over FIA's leadership and governance direction

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Earlier this year, David Richards had threatened to take legal action against FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem over several controversial issues, such as the ban on swearing.

The fresh row now comes after David Richards refused to sign a controversial confidentiality agreement—one he claims is defective, overly restrictive, and without independent monitoring—leading to his exclusion from a critical FIA World Council meeting . This has raised questions about accountability at the top of motorsport's governing body.

At the centre of David Richards' grievance is the accusation that during Mohammed Ben Sulayem's presidency, the FIA is drifting away from its original values of fairness, integrity, and openness.

“The governance and constitutional structure of the FIA is becoming ever more opaque. This is not just my concern. Others have raised similar issues.” Richards wrote. He questioned why the agreement is being imposed on all council members. He observed that even other stakeholders, such as Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder for Formula 1, had been granted special concessions to the same agreement. Nevertheless, Richards alleges his request to negotiate was disregarded.

FIA acts as the court battle approaches

The FIA, represented by its general manager Alberto Villarreal, justified the terms of confidentiality as normal procedure and was perplexed by Richards' complaints. Villarreal argued that previous leaks from within the World Motorsport Council had already damaged the FIA's reputation, suggesting that more stringent controls were needed.

But Richards replied that the answer is not less secrecy but improved governance. He conceded leaks had happened but claimed they're symptomatic of greater structural problems, not an argument for more constraining dialogue or transparency.

Also read: Motorsport UK threatens FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem with legal action over governance dispute

With the threat of legal action still looming, Richards has shown he's not about to back down. He demanded a public debate with the FIA's lawyers, insisting on the same flexibility as other key stakeholders.