“It is therefore unsurprising that those steps the FIA has taken to preserve confidentiality were overwhelmingly supported by a super majority of World Motor Sport Council members.
“With this in mind, we struggle to understand your reluctance to be bound by the same terms and conditions as your fellow members, given you acknowledge the damage the numerous leaks from the World Motor Sport Council have made to the FIA’s mission.”
Richards labelled the letter “disappointing”, as he feels it doesn’t address his concerns about the FIA’s lack of transparency, labelling the requirement to sign an NDA a “gagging order”.
“What is disappointing in this letter from Alberto is the disregard for the very real concerns that have been expressed, not just by myself, but a growing number of people, that the governance and constitutional organisation of the FIA is becoming ever more opaque and concentrating power in the hands of the President alone,” Richards wrote.
“My current issue is with a requirement to sign an amended confidentiality agreement that doesn’t contain a clear procedure for evaluating a breach nor an independent process in the event of a dispute.
“I stand by my statement that this is in effect a ‘gagging order’ and yet these points are simply batted away by Alberto, the FIA General Manager. Furthermore, the subsequent action to exclude me from the WMSC meeting is in contravention with the FIA Statutes and unlawful under French law.
“I very much hope that despite Alberto’s letter, dismissing these material issues, we might yet have a sensible discussion with the legal counsel of the FIA and resolve these points. They are not insurmountable, but as currently written they are wholly inappropriate.
“So much so that various other parties have expressed the same concerns which has resulted in adaptations to the agreements that they have signed. That opportunity has not yet been afforded to me.”
Richards concluded the letter by saying he was hoping to meet Ben Sulayem face to face when the Briton visits the Middle East next week.
Ben Sulayem is expected to stand for re-election later this year, and so far no other candidates have emerged.
Richards himself cannot run for presidency in the elections at the end of this year after the FIA recently reduced the age limit for candidates from 75 to 70. Richards is 72, while Ben Sulayem is 67.
The full letter from David Richards
Dear Members,
On 7 April 2025, I received a letter from the General Manager of the FIA, Alberto Villareal, which, as per his request, we have published HERE in full for everyone to read.
We welcome an open and transparent dialogue on the performance of the FIA, as should be the case for every member owned organisation. I would like to make clear that I have the highest respect for the team at the FIA who work tirelessly on behalf of the sport and their achievements over the last three years. They continue to maintain the highest standards of safety and regulatory excellence that is expected of motorsport’s world governing body and this has never been my concern.
What is disappointing in this letter from Alberto is the disregard for the very real concerns that have been expressed, not just by myself, but a growing number of people, that the governance and constitutional organisation of the FIA is becoming ever more opaque and concentrating power in the hands of the President alone. My previous letter to members explained these concerns and for completeness I also attach this for reference.
My current issue is with a requirement to sign an amended confidentiality agreement that doesn’t contain a clear procedure for evaluating a breach nor an independent process in the event of a dispute. I stand by my statement that this is in effect a ‘gagging order’ and yet these points are simply batted away by Alberto, the FIA General Manager. Furthermore, the subsequent action to exclude me from the WMSC meeting is in contravention with the FIA Statutes and unlawful under French law.
I very much hope that despite Alberto’s letter, dismissing these material issues, we might yet have a sensible discussion with the legal counsel of the FIA and resolve these points. They are not insurmountable, but as currently written they are wholly inappropriate. So much so that various other parties have expressed the same concerns which has resulted in adaptations to the agreements that they have signed. That opportunity has not yet been afforded to me.
So, in conclusion, there are many things to be proud of that the FIA team in Geneva have achieved over the last three years. But we cannot allow a shift of the moral compass of our leadership to simply dismiss any request for transparency and open discourse.
I am in the Middle East for the next week and hope that I may meet with the FIA President to express my views face to face and agree an acceptable outcome.