356 replies to this topic

[KWSN - DSM]

And yet no one appears to be able to show an example of bias in the stewards decisions.

 

Russel and Sainz not being penalized multiple times over multiple seasons for transgressions which other drivers were punished for is clear bias to me.

[Clatter]

Russel and Sainz not being penalized multiple times over multiple seasons for transgressions which other drivers were punished for is clear bias to me.

I'd say it's more to do with lack of consistency in the decisions, but if you can demonstrate it's the same stewards each time, you might have more of a case.

[KWSN - DSM]

I'd say it's more to do with lack of consistency in the decisions, but if you can demonstrate it's the same stewards each time, you might have more of a case.

 

Because it is ok for Russel to slam into a car on a qualifying lap?

[Clatter]

Because it is ok for Russel to slam into a car on a qualifying lap?

Did I say it was?

[KWSN - DSM]

Did I say it was?

 

This thread is not about the numerous incorrect and biased decisions by various stewards, I will stop here not to pollute the thread, (and yes you did).

[Clatter]

This thread is not about the numerous incorrect and biased decisions by various stewards, I will stop here not to pollute the thread, (and yes you did).

Show me where I said it. Even better show me where I even mentioned Russell.

[KWSN - DSM]

Show me where I said it. Even better show me where I even mentioned Russell.

 

Carry it to the Stewarding thread and I answer, I am done here.

[Clatter]

Carry it to the Stewarding thread and I answer, I am done here.

 

Yrah, of course you are.

[SophieB]

FIA officials barred from meeting over NDA refusal

Key figures in Formula 1's governing body the FIA were barred from a meeting of the organisation's world motorsport council on Wednesday in a dispute with president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Robert Reid, the FIA's deputy president for sport, and David Richards, the UK's representative, were among those denied access after refusing to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

 
https://www.bbc.co.u...es/c8j08dmmjx1o

[FLB]

FIA officials barred from meeting over NDA refusal

 
https://www.bbc.co.u...es/c8j08dmmjx1o

Oopsie.

 

 

David Richards and Robert Reid were both some of MBS's biggest supporters in 2021. They are part of those who publicly took position to get him elected.

[jonpollak]

 
"Join My Secret Club and swear your allegiance to ME ....or be damned to hell.
 
Who is this joker attempting to emulate ?
Any guesses?
 
Jp

[Sterzo]

I'm surprised we're allowed to know there is a non-disclosure agreement.

[FLB]

I'm surprised we're allowed to know there is a non-disclosure agreement.

The fact it's public is an indication of how many (and how much) people have had enough, IMHO.

[JRodrigues]

The fact it's public is an indication of how many (and how much) people have had enough, IMHO.

 

..or that in fact an NDA is really necessary.

[Stoffel]

Why do FIA presidents always have to be such fcking (not sorry, Mohammed) clowns? 

[NateF]

Todt was fairly anonymous in the role, don’t recall much noise from him in the role, good, bad or otherwise but tbh my recollection could be faulty

Edited by NateF, 26 February 2025 - 18:39.

[Rodaknee]

Why do FIA presidents always have to be such fcking (not sorry, Mohammed) clowns? 

Its the nature of those who want to run things.  You'll find similar people at the top of most sports organisations.  The current head of world cycling (the UCI) chases headlines, makes grand announcements and does sod all that matters.

[TecnoRacing]

Todt was fairly anonymous in the role, don’t recall much noise from him in the role, good, bad or otherwise but tbh my recollection could be faulty

Hi installation was as corrupt imo, but yes, during his tenure he certainly had the nous to not constantly make himself center of attention (and likely had much more influence and trust because of it.)

[Gareth]

I'm surprised we're allowed to know there is a non-disclosure agreement.

"you have to sign this NDA"

"what for?"

"so that we can show you the secret NDA that you need to sign in order to see the good stuff"

[flyboym3]

Todt was fairly anonymous in the role, don’t recall much noise from him in the role, good, bad or otherwise but tbh my recollection could be faulty

Todt was good but I thought he ruined his reputation when he signed off THAT circular saying we don't know what we are watching and don't understand the rules. Biasism kicks in in the end, we really need someone from the cooperate enterprise world without links to motorsport, plenty of CEO's could do it but then the kickbacks stop for the clubs.

No way Mohammed is being voted out, anyone who understands how these elections work know this already.

[arrysen]

"you have to sign this NDA"

"what for?"

"so that we can show you the secret NDA that you need to sign in order to see the good stuff"

......"and if you don't sign that, you won't be on secret probation, it'll be double secret probation and your ass will be mine!" MBS does seem to be bearing more of a resemblance to Dean Vernon Wormer with each pronouncement & new process such as this one.

 

*For those not getting it, reference is to Animal House movie.

[Myrvold]

I'm surprised we're allowed to know there is a non-disclosure agreement.

 

Well, if they don't sign an NDA, they can probably skip the N and A of NDA?

[RekF1]

Well, if they don't sign an NDA, they can probably skip the N and A of NDA?

Or they could N and A. That way they can also D.

[Mark A]

Todt was fairly anonymous in the role, don’t recall much noise from him in the role, good, bad or otherwise but tbh my recollection could be faulty

 

Whatever people think of Todt, I genuinely believe he wanted to do the role properly, hence why he wasn't all over F1 all the time, the FIA is responsible for a lot more than just F1, something people like MBS don't understand, how MBS is able to deal with all the other work, and even race series, that the FIA are responsible for whilst jetting to 24 races a year is beyond me.

[pdac]

Whatever people think of Todt, I genuinely believe he wanted to do the role properly, hence why he wasn't all over F1 all the time, the FIA is responsible for a lot more than just F1, something people like MBS don't understand, how MBS is able to deal with all the other work, and even race series, that the FIA are responsible for whilst jetting to 24 races a year is beyond me.

 

But doing it properly is probably what MBS thinks he's doing. He has his own idea of what the FIA should be and he's trying to push that. It's just that his idea of doing it properly is not in line with other peoples idea of what doing it properly is.

[Brackets]

But that hasn't stopped routine accusations of bias and favouritism.

 

The FIA are doing the right thing for once.  They should be applauded not picked to pieces.

 

"They caved to the bullying" is not making the point you think it is making.

[SophieB]

@andrewbensonf1

Robert Reid: FIA deputy president for sport resigns over 'breakdown in governance standards' - BBC Sport

https://www.bbc.co.u...es/c1lmmy6q5r4o

 

 

Reid said in a statement that he was experiencing "growing alarm over critical decisions being made without due process or proper consultation".

"When I took on this role, it was to serve the FIA's members, not to serve power," Reid said. 

"Over time, I have witnessed a steady erosion of the principles we promised to uphold.

"Decisions are being made behind closed doors, bypassing the very structures and people the FIA exists to present."

 

 

[DS27]

That's as damning a statement as it gets.

[SophieB]

If it were any other organisation I would say the position of the President is now completely untenable but with the FIA…

[pdac]

If it were any other organisation I would say the position of the President is now completely untenable but with the FIA…

 

I would say that in some other organisations that might be the case. But I would say here, and in many other organisations too, this will only make his position stronger. It those who disagree with the leader simply leave, then it just means that the leader ends up surrounded by the like-minded (or, at least, supportive) people in all of the top positions. That then puts them in a position to force out any remaining dissidents.

 

So, this is really just good news for him. Voters have no power until the next election.

Edited by pdac, 10 April 2025 - 09:49.

[Sterzo]

It would be good to know the organisation structure of the FIA. I have just read through (well, skimmed across) all 58 pages of the FIA Statutes and, significantly I thought, they don't tell you. While I wouldn't claim any of the blurb is unnecessary, the lack of a clear statement of who does what seems, let us say, novel for any well-established organisation.

[SophieB]

I would say that in some other organisations that might be the case. But I would say here, and in many other organisations too, this will only make his position stronger. It those who disagree with the leader simply leave, then it just means that the leader ends up surrounded by the like-minded (or, at least, supportive) people in all of the top positions. That then puts them in a position to force out any remaining dissidents.

 

So, this is really just good news for him. Voters have no power until the next election.

The crazy thing is that this WAS the like-minded, he stood alongside Ben Sulayem in the elections.

[Myrvold]

Motorsport UK have published some correspondence. The FIA is very much "our President". Ugh.

https://www.motorspo...ondence-update/

[AlexPrime]

I don't want to get political, but my impression is that worldwide the authoritarian type is on the rise. The FIA president is no exception. In fact, he is a clear example of that trend. 

[PayasYouRace]

Motorsport UK have published some correspondence. The FIA is very much "our President". Ugh.

https://www.motorspo...ondence-update/

Who are you “urgh”ing at?

[Myrvold]

Who are you “urgh”ing at?

FIA's long answer.

[PayasYouRace]

FIA's long answer.

Yeah fair one. I thought Richards’ response was quite good.

[Claudius]

What is it with FIA and dictator-wannabes? 

[JHSingo]

It's about time someone announced they were standing in the next presidential election. Given how deeply unpopular MBS seems to be with pretty much everyone, surely by now there's a good chance they'd win and be able to replace him?

[Frood]

I always though Alex Wurz would be a good fit, but now he has his track design firm, there's more of a conflict of interest than before.

[SophieB]

BBC: Former CEO breaks silence on FIA's 'serious challenges'
 

[Former FIA chief executive Natalie] Robyn told BBC Sport: "During my tenure as CEO, I worked under challenging circumstances to strengthen the federation's governance framework and upgrade its operational transparency.
"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."

Robyn's comments are a direct reaction to the decision of Reid to resign on Thursday citing "a fundamental breakdown in governance standards within motorsport's global governing body".
Robyn added: "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."

Robyn left the FIA after raising questions about the general governance of the organisation and its professional practices, including finances in the president's office.

https://www.bbc.co.u...es/cql66wv234go

[pdac]

What is it with FIA and dictator-wannabes? 

 

In any organisation o that kind, the people that stand for election generally have big opinions of their abilities. Once they get into power, they feel that *they* know what is best for the organisation and set about trying to implement their ideas. As strong characters, they will either be very persuasive and convince everyone to get on board with their ideas or else the will act tough and force issues. The latter are the ones that people will call dictators. But, really, both are just as bad unless their ideas on what needs to change are very good ones. 

[Ruusperi]

I don't want to get political, but my impression is that worldwide the authoritarian type is on the rise. The FIA president is no exception. In fact, he is a clear example of that trend. 

When one gets away with it, then other like-minded people will follow. But as history has shown, dictators have shitty endings.

[pdac]

When one gets away with it, then other like-minded people will follow. But as history has shown, dictators have shitty endings.

 

Maybe. But that does not mean their ending is quick. For example, Mugabe was in power for 30 years and was 95 when he died.

[OvDrone]

I don't want to get political, but my impression is that worldwide the authoritarian type is on the rise. The FIA president is no exception. In fact, he is a clear example of that trend. 

Perhaps their example of chaos of incompetence will start making others think twice going forward. This level of medieval ineptitude cannot go on forever. 

The most important thing for the FIA this year is to change leadership at the election.

[MortenF1]

Why don’t they explicitly say Ben Sulayems name? Just say it. Everyone knows HE is the problem.

[Sterzo]

What is it with FIA and dictator-wannabes? 

Todt wasn't.

[KWSN - DSM]

Ben Sulayem likely have more support than anyone else, and will be re-elected.

[wheadon1985]

Rumour on the streets of Geneva is there will be someone running against him for election, someone whom may not be male.

[eibyyz]

Rumour on the streets of Geneva is there will be someone running against him for election, someone whom may not be male.

 

Susie Wolff?