FIA hires former Mercedes Chief as new Presidential Advisor

This is not the first time Rao has worked with the FIA. She was once the Interim FIA Secretary General for Motor Sport and FIA Legal Director. She has also previously worked as a special advisor to Mercedes CEO and Team Principal Toto Wolff.

In the FIA press release, Ben Sulayem said: "I am delighted to welcome back Shaila-Ann Rao to the FIA. She has an exceptional record in global motor sport and will be a great asset to me and my team as we continue to improve the regulatory and commercial frameworks across all the FIA World Championships benefiting our drivers, teams and FIA Member Clubs. She will also advise me on matters related to all the FIA World Championship promoters.”

Rao, newly appointed Advisor to the FIA President, added, “I am looking forward to advising the FIA President across the FIA World Championships and building on the significant progress that has already been made during his Presidential term, strengthening the Championships’ regulatory and commercial frameworks. The FIA holds a unique place in global sport, and I am excited to support the FIA at this time and to help the FIA President deliver an even stronger future for motor sport.”