Former FIA CEO latest to speak out against leadership amid ongoing turmoil

The FIA has “serious ongoing structural challenges” and does not follow “professional processes” according to its former chief executive Natalie Robyn.

It was announced on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix that FIA deputy president for sport Robert Reid had resigned from the motor racing governing body with immediate effect.

Along with Motorsport UK chairman David Richards, Reid was one of two members barred from the latest gathering of the FIA World Motor Sport Council over their refusal to sign a non-disclosure agreement imposed by president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Richards has continued his war of words with Ben Sulayem and the FIA in general, and on Wednesday claimed there had been a “disregard for the very real concerns that have been expressed, not just by myself, but a growing number of people, that the governance and constitutional organisation of the FIA is becoming ever more opaque and concentrating power in the hands of the president alone".

Robyn was the FIA’s first-ever chief executive but quit her post in May 2024 after just 18 months, following the resignations of single-seater technical director Tim Goss, sporting director Steve Nielsen, and Deborah Mayer, the president of the FIA's Women in Motorsport Commission.

While at the time of her exit she stopped short of explaining her reasoning, she has now spoken out about what led to her departure.

Natalie Robyn, FIA CEO

Photo by: FIA

"During my tenure as CEO, I worked under challenging circumstances to strengthen the federation's governance framework and upgrade its operational transparency,” she told BBC Sport.

"The resignation of the deputy president of sport clearly indicates there are serious ongoing structural challenges.

"When professional processes are not adhered to and stakeholders are excluded from decision-making, it undermines the foundation of a strong organisation.

"I am saddened to see these developments, as they threaten both the credibility and the long-term effectiveness of an important institution.

"I worked closely with Robert during my time at the FIA and I have a great deal of respect for him and of course his commitment to the future of motorsport."