Ben Sulayem 'chops' major head from FIA structure, close confidant chosen as replacement

The FIA Senate oversees the finances and organizational structure of the governing body. Cussons had held the position for three and a half years and supported Ben Sulayem in his initial presidential campaign. Yet, he says he recently received a message from the president stating he would be replaced.

“I received correspondence from the president saying he was appointing my successor. He gave no reason why, and there was no timeline as to when this would happen,” says Cussons in a conversation with BBC Sport. He added to have been surprised by the message, as he was, according to him, a 'staunch supporter' of support for Ben Sulayem during his election year.

"As far as I am aware, I haven't fallen out with him. I have written to him for clarification and I haven't had a reply. I'm a great believer in transparency and good governance." Cussons alleges to be in conflict with Ben Sulayem over the latter's demand to sign a stricter confidentiality agreement. He is now currently "awaiting a reply from the FIA" having stated to have made his position clear, he said.

The dismissal of Cussons is not the only one. FIA Vice President Robert Reid resigned in March, CEO Natalie Robyn was replaced, and among others, F1 race director Niels Wittich and the head of the auditting committee Bertrand Badre have left. David Richards, head of Motorsport UK, was barred from World Council meetings due to his criticism of statute changes.

Those changes, adopted in June, now give Ben Sulayem the right to appoint or dismiss four independent members of the senate autonomously. Previously, the rest of the senate, consisting of twelve members, had to approve such a decision. Critics called it a power grab that undermines internal oversight of the FIA President himself.

A FIA spokesperson, according to the BBC, declined to comment on the dismissal of Cussons and whether more changes are forthcoming. However, the federation emphasized that ‘all changes to the statutes were democratically adopted with a large majority of members’, and that the Senate ‘plays a key role in oversight of the financial and administrative affairs’ of the FIA.