F1 drivers concerned about FIA's leadership direction, says George Russell

Dominika Jordan
Apr 10, 2025, 12:34 PM ET

George Russell voices F1 drivers' concerns over FIA's unstable leadership after VP Reid's resignation.

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

SAKHIR, Bahrain -- George Russell, a leading figure in the Formula 1 community, expressed the drivers' growing concern over what they perceive as an "unstable direction" within the FIA's leadership. This comes in the wake of the abrupt resignation of FIA deputy president Robert Reid, who cited a "fundamental breakdown in governance standards."

Reid's departure has cast a critical light on FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. In his resignation statement, Reid noted a "steady erosion" of the principles on which he and Ben Sulayem were elected and highlighted "critical decisions being made without due process."

Russell, as head of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, remarked on the situation: "Unfortunately, I think every time we hear some news from that side of the sport, it's not really a big surprise. So it's clearly a real shame to see, and somebody who's very well respected within the sport and been there for so long. As we keep saying, it's like, what's next? Hopefully, we get more stability sooner rather than later."

Reid's resignation followed an incident where he and UK motorsport head David Richards were barred from attending a World Motor Sport Council meeting after refusing to sign a nondisclosure agreement. Russell indicated that drivers are increasingly disillusioned with the FIA's governance.

"Ultimately, it's getting to a point now where these things are happening so often, and as drivers, we were trying to get involved in the past, we didn't really make much headway, and things seem to continuously be going in an unstable direction," Russell added. "So I've got to be honest, our actions are having little impact with those guys, and we've got to trust in the teams and Formula 1 to work with the FIA to come to a common ground. If we can help, we want to be there, but often it just seems like things are going in their own direction."

Former FIA chief executive Natalie Robyn, who resigned last year due to disagreements with Ben Sulayem, also commented that the governing body faces "serious ongoing structural challenges." Ben Sulayem is expected to seek re-election in December, though no opponent has emerged yet.