Investigation launched in to FIA Foundation charity

An investigation has been launched into the FIA Foundation, the charitable arm responsible for funding road safety research and motorsport safety initiatives.

The Charity Commission has opened the inquiry as it responds to concerns over governance and potential conflicts of interest between the Foundation and its parent organisation, the FIA, which governs F1 and many global motorsport categories.

The Foundation now operates under an immediate temporary protective order, preventing trustees from entering certain transactions without prior written approval from the Commission. 

The inquiry specifically examines whether conflicts of interest have been properly managed, particularly regarding grants awarded by the charity.

While the Commission emphasises that opening an inquiry does not constitute a finding of wrongdoing, the protective order suggests serious concerns about the charity's administration.

The Foundation carries out duties such as motorsport safety research, funding programmes that have contributed to advances in circuit design, car safety systems and protective equipment used across racing categories. 

The inquiry will examine the extent to which trustees have complied with their legal duties regarding administration, governance and management.

It comes after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem took over as chair of the foundation last year, replacing head of Motorsport UK David Richards.