Motorsport UK’s David Richards slams FIA in explosive legal dispute, accuses Ben Sulayem of crushing transparency

Motorsport UK has drawn battle lines against the FIA, threatening legal action over what it describes as a severe breakdown in governance under the leadership of Mohammed Ben Sulayem. David Richards, chairman of British motorsport’s governing body, has openly condemned the FIA’s recent moves, accusing it of secrecy, intimidation, and a betrayal of the very principles it vowed to uphold.

The explosive confrontation erupted after Richards was barred from attending a World Motor Sport Council meeting. The reason? His refusal to sign a newly imposed non-disclosure agreement—one that, he claims, was nothing short of a “gagging order.”

Richards, who once championed Ben Sulayem’s presidency, now says that faith was misplaced. In a powerful address to Motorsport UK members, he revealed his growing alarm at the FIA’s descent into authoritarianism.

“For some time now, I’ve had concerns about the erosion of accountability and good governance within the FIA,” Richards declared. “What we were promised—a transparent, professional organisation—has turned into something far more sinister.”

He detailed how, three years ago, he and the Royal Automobile Club backed Ben Sulayem’s campaign, convinced by his promises of a hands-off presidency and a professionally managed FIA. That dream, Richards asserts, has collapsed into chaos.

“The last three years have been a disaster. Instead of the transformation we were sold, we’ve witnessed an exodus of senior FIA officials, opaque decision-making, and a suffocating control over those who dare to question authority,” he said.

One of the most shocking changes, according to Richards, is the FIA’s manipulation of its own ethics and audit committee—effectively stripping it of independence and silencing dissent. Furthermore, Motorsport UK’s own representative, who challenged FIA decisions, was abruptly removed, along with the head of the audit committee.

The final straw came when the FIA attempted to force Richards into signing a new confidentiality agreement, which he described as “draconian.”

“When I accepted my role on the World Motor Sport Council in 2021, I signed a confidentiality agreement, and I was already bound by the FIA Code of Ethics. This new NDA, however, was different. It was a weapon, one that could be wielded at the FIA’s discretion to punish anyone who stepped out of line,” he explained.

Richards revealed the terrifying clauses buried within the document—an immediate fine of €50,000 for any perceived breach and the looming threat of unspecified further damages. The FIA, he alleged, had granted itself absolute power to determine who had broken the agreement, without oversight or appeal.

“This isn’t governance. This is control through fear. Volunteer representatives should not be bullied into silence,” he said.

Motorsport UK is now prepared to take legal action unless the FIA reverses course and restores transparency.

This development comes at a critical moment for Ben Sulayem, who is gearing up for re-election later this year. So far, no rival candidates have stepped forward, but Richards’ damning accusations could shake up the landscape dramatically. The battle for control over international motorsport is far from over, and the FIA may soon find itself fighting on multiple fronts.

If Motorsport UK follows through with legal action, the FIA could be forced into an unprecedented courtroom showdown—one that could expose the very secrets it has tried so desperately to conceal.