FIA branded 'power without brakes' in scathing review

The FIA has been branded as a "power without brakes" and warned of an "existential threat" to its processes and governance in a scathing report commissioned by former presidential candidate Tim Mayer. Mayer announced in July he was challenging incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and has been trying to piece together his bid since, but on Friday, 17th October, he formally dropped out of the race.  It had become clear that Mayer was not going to be able to fulfil the requirement to announce his proposed top team, including the president of the FIA Senate, deputy president for sport and seven vice-presidents for sport. Each of these vice-presidents must come from an FIA-approved list of candidates from different continents and regions, but the sticking point was that only one candidate had been approved from the South American region.  This is Fabiana Ecclestone, wife of ex-F1 boss Bernie, who is believed to have declared her support for a second Ben Sulayem term. As each candidate can only appear on the presidential list, Ecclestone's support effectively ended the candidacy of Mayer, an ex-F1 chief steward and those of outsiders Laura Villars and Virginie Philipott. At a specially-organised press conference in Austin, attended by RacingNews365, Mayer announced his withdrawal and presented a report to the assembled media, written by Dr Arnout Geeraert, of Utrecht University, and an expert on good governance in sports. RacingNews365 has read the full report, with the main takeaways, including his findings that the FIA "conducts elections but not contests" listed below.  Ben Sulayem is now expected to be re-elected to a second four-year term in December.  The article continues below.  Main takeaways of Tim Mayer FIA report Presidency with near total control  The governance system depends on the individual in office rather than the institution. When authority is this centralised, personal judgement replaces collective accountability. Democracy without choice  The FIA conducts elections but not contests. The design ensures continuity of leadership, not democratic renewal, leaving members with the right to vote, but not choose. Oversight that obeys the boss  Oversight functions exist largely to demonstrate compliance rather than enforce it. They give the appearance of control whilst consolidating executive authority. Transparency that hides the truth Transparency is already confirmed for information it is already safe to share. Accountability without enforcement  Accountability remains procedural, not practical. Rules are proclaimed but rarely invoked.  Good causes as window dressing  Social responsibility functions as public messaging rather than governance principle. Without independent evaluation or sustained investment, these initiatives cannot offset wider ethical shortcomings. World ranking  FIA governance score is 45%, compared to FEI (83%), and FIFA (61%). Compared with its peers, FIA performs adequately on written rules, but poorly on their application. Power without brakes  Systems that rely on personal virtue rather than institutional control eventually fail. Concentrated power delivers speed, not safety. It invites crisis the moment truth is lost. A real and present existential threat  The current model trades resilience for control . A single governance shock, financial, legal, or reputational, could undermine the federation's legitimacy almost overnight. Reform pressure will come from outside  The FIA's balance of power may shift through external pressure. If it does not establish its own internal brakes, its members and sponsors will be obliged, legally, and reputationally, to apply them.