FIA Approves Controversial Governance Changes in Rwanda

The FIA General Assembly in Rwanda has approved significant changes to its statutes, aimed at improving the efficiency and governance of the organization. These revisions grant broader powers to the FIA president and the president of the senate, particularly concerning the ethics and audit committees. The changes are intended to enhance the independence of the ethics committee and limit the circulation of sensitive reports, thereby addressing concerns about media leaks. However, criticism has emerged from senior team members in F1 who argue that this consolidation of power reduces accountability and transparency within the FIA's leadership.

Despite these governance challenges, the FIA reported a notable financial recovery, forecasting an operating surplus of €2.2 million for 2024 after years of deficits. The compliance officer will now report directly to the FIA President and the Senate President, further centralizing authority. Critics from organizations in Belgium and Britain have expressed concerns about the lack of accountability and transparency in the process through which these changes were introduced, claiming that it creates a worrisome concentration of power at the top. The FIA insists that the intent of the changes is to improve oversight within the organization while maintaining confidentiality.