MONTREAL :The Austrian Vehicle Affiliation (OAMTC) has urged FIA members to reject proposed statute adjustments it fears will harm motorsport’s world governing physique and restrict opposition to the re-election of president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
In an unsigned June 10 letter emailed to the mobility part of the FIA’s world council, and seen by Reuters, the OAMTC set out its opposition to a vote on the agenda of the FIA Normal Meeting in Macau on Thursday.
“We attraction to all members to assist our movement to take away the voting on the proposed FIA statute adjustments from the Normal Meeting’s agenda,” the letter mentioned, suggesting a postponement to a later assembly.
“There isn’t any urgency concerning these proposed adjustments … they threat additional contributing to the erosion of the FIA’s fame for competent and clear governance.
“It can’t be – and isn’t – a coincidence that adjustments related to the FIA’s elections have been promoted by the FIA’s management concurrently the FIA’s incumbent president has introduced an intention to run in these elections.
“The place there may be even a threat of those adjustments showing to learn the present FIA administration, and never the FIA itself, the adjustments shouldn’t be adopted.”
An Worldwide Vehicle Federation spokesperson in London was not instantly conscious of the letter however confirmed the vote was scheduled for Thursday.
These attending the gathering in Macau couldn’t be reached instantly for remark.
The OAMTC mentioned the eight proposed statute adjustments raised problems with equity and consistency, and that they might discourage opposition to Ben Sulayem.
Ben Sulayem is standing for re-election in December, with no rival candidate to this point coming ahead. He advised Reuters final month when he confirmed he was standing that he welcomed competitors.
Ben Sulayem recognised he had enemies however mentioned he was assured he had the assist of a majority of FIA members.
“I solely need to reply to my members. And they’re joyful. Truly, they’re very joyful. They’re extraordinarily joyful,” he mentioned.
The Emirati has been concerned in a number of controversies since he took over in 2021 and has been at loggerheads with drivers in addition to drawing criticism from FIA insiders, whereas some senior workers have left.
Briton Robert Reid, a former shut ally who give up as an FIA deputy president in April, wrote in his resignation assertion of a “elementary breakdown in governance requirements” on the governing physique.
Reid and Motorsport UK head David Richards had opposed different statute adjustments authorised by the Normal Meeting final December that they mentioned restricted the powers of audit and ethics committees.
