Further light shed on shock FIA exit: 'Unfairly and unlawfully'

The former FIA deputy president for sport Robert Reid has shed further light on his decision to step down from the governing body.

Reid's shock resignation came on the eve of the Bahrain Grand Prix last weekend following over three years in the role.

The Briton was critical of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and cited a "fundamental breakdown in governance standards within motorsport’s global governing body" as the reason behind his exit.

Taking to substack, Reid added more context behind his decision to depart the organisation, highlighting his final straw was the FIA's pursuit to take over the running of the World Rallycross Championship.

“One of the clearest and most troubling examples of this breakdown involved the internalisation of the World Rallycross Championship,” Reid wrote.

“I repeatedly raised concerns, both about the governance process and potential legal implications, and received no response, despite my elected responsibilities and fiduciary obligations. 

“Eventually, I had no choice but to seek external legal advice and support. Only then did I receive a response, but unfortunately it lacked the clarity and rigour I had hoped for. I was told, in broad terms, that the governance process was sound and there was no legal risk. 

“But no evidence or explanation was offered to support those assurances. As someone accountable to the membership and exposed to personal liability, that was simply not acceptable.”

Reid locked out of FIA email after NDA disput

Tensions were growing prior to the FIA's move to take over running the World RX after Reid was prohibited from attending a meeting after he allegedly opted not to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement.

Reid stated there was more to the situation than a flat-out refusal, but the situation turned even more sour when he became locked out of his official FIA email account.

“I also want to address recent speculation regarding the Non-Disclosure Agreement amendment. I fully support the need for confidentiality and have personally been deeply frustrated at the number of leaks that undermine trust and effective governance. 

“One journalist said to me that perhaps the FIA should be more concerned with why people are leaking than who is doing it and I think that’s worth reflecting.

“I did not refuse to sign the NDA amendment. I simply requested a short extension in order to seek legal advice on a complex document governed by Swiss law, which was presented with a relatively short deadline. That request was denied. 

“As a result, I was excluded from the World Motor Sport Council meeting, in my view, both unfairly and unlawfully. 

“Ten days later, my FIA email was disabled without notice. Multiple requests for assistance and explanation went unanswered until, following a legal letter from my counsel, I was informed this had been a deliberate decision.”

Reid was treated 'unfairly' for speaking up against FIA

Reid outlined despite his exit from the FIA he is “bound by confidentiality obligations” and has vowed to “respect those legal responsibilities”.

However, the 59-year-old took aim at how the concerns he raised were treated within the organisation.

“I spoke up when I felt fundamental principles were being eroded,” Reid stated. “I did so respectfully, constructively, and always with the aim of safeguarding the integrity of our sport.

“But doing so came at a cost. It became clear that raising legitimate concerns was not always welcomed and I experienced firsthand how challenging the status quo can lead to exclusion rather than dialogue. 

“I don’t regret speaking up. But I do believe I was treated unfairly for doing so.

“Leadership matters. Governance matters. And trust, once lost, is hard to rebuild. If motorsport is to remain credible and thrive into the future, it must be governed not by control, but by collaboration. Not by silence, but by accountability.

“A lot of people have asked what comes next. The truth is, this was never about a 'next move'. It was about saying: 'this isn’t good enough, and I can’t be part of it anymore'.”