F1 body FIA announce CONTROVERSIAL changes in official statement

FIA, Ben Sulayem, socials — Photo: © IMAGO

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FIA announce CONTROVERSIAL changes in official statement

Formula 1's governing body has released a statement following new changes

Kerry Violet F1 News Editor

F1 editor and journalist covering motorsport since 2024.

Friday 13 December 2024 18:55

Formula 1's governing body have announced a set of controversial changes following the conclusion of the 2024 season.

Last weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marked the 2024 season finale, the race at the Yas Marina Circuit the final round of the longest season in the sport's history.

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Red Bull star Max Verstappen claimed his fourth consecutive title victory at the Las Vegas Grand Prix last month, but the constructors' championship provided a fight to the wire in Abu Dhabi.

After a fierce battle on track, Lando Norris took victory, leading McLaren to claim their first constructors' title since 1998, with Ferrari falling short in P2. Red Bull, on the other hand, could only manage third place thanks to Sergio Perez's frequent poor performances.

The 2024 season was full of controversy, most notably due to heavily-debated driver penalties and spats between the FIA and 2024 champion Verstappen over behaviour both on and off the track.

An FIA penalty sparked a fiery debate between George Russell and Max Verstappen heading into the season finale

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FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem handed additional power

Following a season of heavy criticism against the sport's governing body, the FIA has now voted through changes that will put more power into the hands of its president.

Changes to the FIA's ethics committee proceedings now mean that only preliminary investigations will be allowed to take place over an issue before awaiting consent from Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and the president of the FIA senate Carmelo Sanz De Barros, in order to be taken any further.

Along with confirmation of the approval, the FIA provided Sky Sports News with a statement explaining what they hope the amendments will achieve, stating three main reasons for the changes: "First, to preserve and enhance the independence of the Ethics Committee by reducing the involvement of the FIA Administration in its operation.

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"The Ethics Committee previously only reported to the President, it now reports to both the President and the President of the Senate. The Committee now has the powers to independently assess whether or not to launch an investigation."

"Second, as a result of continuous leaks to the media of confidential material, including Ethics Committee reports, it is now proposed that the distribution of any Ethics Committee Report will be limited. This does not prevent either the President or the President of the Senate from involving Senate members or other members of the FIA or its staff in discussing or implementing any recommendations from the Ethics Committee.

"Finally, Ethics Committee Reports can often contain material of a confidential nature, including criminal or safeguarding issues. It was therefore necessary to limit the automatic sharing of this information with multiple members and FIA staff. Limiting the distribution of the report will also protect the complainant and individual subject to the investigation."

Written by

Kerry Violet - F1 News Editor

Having graduated from the University of Sheffield with a 2:1 in Journalism in 2022, Kerry continued her pursuit of finding a full-time position in motorsport through work with the F1 Arcade in London, where she got to meet true fans of the sport and make a live grand prix watch party memorable for them. It was here that she confirmed her dream of combining her background in journalism and love of motorsport, going on to volunteer with the female-led platform Empoword Journalism. Having completed stints as a screen editor and sports editor, Kerry landed her first F1-specific editorial role with GPFans and has thoroughly enjoyed continuing to work closely with the sport ever since. The access GPFans offers Kerry has allowed her to interview big names such as Naomi Schiff and David Coulthard and given her experiences she could only have dreamt of as a young F1 fan.

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Red Bull Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton FIA Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Yas Marina Circuit