Controversial FIA changes approved after vote

Members of the FIA have passed through controversial changes to the governing body's statutes following a vote on Thursday. The FIA General Assembly met in Macau to discuss and vote on the proposed changes, with the motion being passed 83.35% to 16.65%. Several members took to their feet to express overwhelming support for the current administration, RacingNews365 understands. The modifications to the statutes have been finalised after their basis was heavily criticised by Austria's national motoring club, the OAMTC. Prior to the vote, the OAMTC sent a letter to the FIA members urging them to reconsider pushing through the changes that further extends president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's control. The OAMTC stated the FIA would face a "dark period of democratic backsliding" if the changes were passed through. Amongst the changes the OAMTC voiced its discontent over was the enhanced vetting of potential opponents to the FIA presidency. It detailed the proposal “is intended to discourage opposition, and to expose candidates launching challenges to prolonged lobbying”. Ben Sulayem's first term in office as FIA president will end in December, and so far, no party has formally declared their bid to rival him in the upcoming election - although rally icon Carlos Sainz has voiced his interest. The OAMTC also questioned the removal of the rule requiring 21 of the 28 members of the world motorsport council to be of different nationalities, claiming it is simply to “stack” the council with supporters rather than have diverse opinion. It also hit out at the proposed change to align audit, ethics and nominations committees with that of the president and the president having more control over picking and dismissing Senate members for his own advantage.