Sporting

FIA OFFICIALS DEPARTMENT

Following an official announcement in September 2024, the new FIA Officials Department was formally established in November 2024. The department is tasked with centralising the management and development of motor sport officials across all levels.  

Attached to the FIA General Secretariat for Sport, the new Department’s primary objectives include the standardisation of training programmes, ensuring consistent officiating standards globally, and enhancing support for officials to maintain the integrity and safety of motor sport events. 

By adopting a unified approach, the FIA seeks to improve the quality and consistency of officiating and contribute to the recruitment and retention of officials, benefiting competitors and fans alike. 

This strategic move underscores the FIA’s commitment to excellence and uniformity in motor sport officiating, reflecting its dedication to the sport’s continuous improvement and the professional development of its officials. 

FIA DRIVERS’ COMMITTEE

Under the leadership of Committee President and former co-driver Ronan Morgan, and with the participation of drivers and former drivers from a wide variety of discipline, 2024 proved to be another fruitful year for the FIA Drivers’ Committee. 

Among the milestones achieved in 2024 were the production of Driving Standards Guidelines that were used in various FIA Championships and the development of the first FIA Safeguarding Policy. Recognising the fundamental right of every individual to compete, work, and thrive in an environment free from abuse and harassment, this text, prepared in association with the FIA Legal Office, aims to enhance safeguarding around all FIA events based on the IOC recommendations.

FIA Driver Categorisation System

The Committee continues to oversee the FIA Driver Categorisation System for sports car drivers. This activity is increasingly important within the FIA, as the leading Endurance and GT Championships work closely with the governing body on the topic. A comprehensive weekly review is managed by the FIA in cooperation with representatives from the various championship promoters (SRO – ACO – Australian GT – IMSA – FIA Drivers’ Committee).

This provides an overall view of all championships concerned. An annual revision is also carried out in September to adapt the categorisation criteria to the evolving statuses of all drivers in the database.

INTEGRITY AND REGULATIONS

In the FIA Formula One World Championship, the FIA Legal Office successfully drafted and oversaw the signing of a non-assert agreement with FOM and Fuel/Oil Suppliers intending to supply fuel in the Championship from 2026 to 2030 (in accordance with the F1 Power Unit Technical Regulations).

It also worked with the Cost Cap Administration in reviewing Accepted Breach Agreements by PU Manufacturers and FIA ABB Formula E World Championship Teams. The Legal Office was also closely involved with the review of proposed amendments to the 2026 Formula 1 Power Unit (PU) Regulations and the F1 Technical audit visit protocols document, among others.

International Sporting Code (ISC)

Following consultations with the FIA Esports Commission and in collaboration with the FIA Esports Department, the Legal Office drafted the FIA Esports International Sporting Code (FIA Esports Code – Appendix E to the ISC). The code serves to provide a legal framework for and to regulate the organisation of Esports competitions at both national and international level. 

Elsewhere, the Legal Office worked on a number of amendments to the International Sporting Code (adopted in December 2024 and entered into force on 1 January 2025), notably:

• Amendment to the definition of “Misconduct” to include incitement;
• Clarification of the additional deposit that must be paid in cases where a protest refers to the non-compliance of an automobile and requires dismantling;
• Addition of an “environmental officer” to the List of officials and a reference to environmental protection in “Applicable Laws” 

Judicial and Disciplinary Rules (JDR)

Following an analysis of the previous version of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules (JDR), a number of amendments were adopted at the FIA General Assembly  meeting in December 2024 and entered into force on 1 January 2025. 

The FIA International Court of Appeal (ICA) experienced a high level of activity, handling 15 appeals, with some subsequently withdrawn. The Legal Office represented the FIA in hearings for seven cases across various disciplines. Additionally, two cases lodged in December 2024 were heard by the ICA early 2025.  

Motor Sport and Race Manipulation

Sportradar continued to deliver universal fraud detection services (UFDS) to the FIA in the FIA Formula One World Championship, FIA World Rally World Championship, FIA World Endurance Championship, FIA World Rallycross Championship and ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. None of the UFDS alerts recorded in 2024 were deemed suspicious from an integrity standpoint.  

Safeguarding Policy “Driven by Respect”

The Legal Office led the setting up of an FIA Safeguarding Policy and Regulations (Appendix S to the ISC). This Policy received unanimous approval by the WMSC and came into effect immediately in October 2024 for FIA World Championships, the FIA Motorsport Games and any FIA-sanctioned or organised meetings. It will come into effect across all other FIA events from 2026. Already enshrined in the FIA Regulations, the policy is founded on the key principles of:

• Welfare of the individual;
• Equality and inclusion;
• Accountability;
• Confidentiality.

Anti-Doping Activities

The Legal Office continued its commitment to anti-doping efforts in motor sport, maintaining its focus on education as a primary tool against doping. The ‘Race True’ programme remained central to these efforts, aiming to raise awareness within the motor sport community about the dangers and consequences of doping. The various anti-doping education sessions organised by the Legal Office in 2024 provided targeted courses to different stakeholders: drivers, team managers, support personnel and officials. Additionally, the Motorsport Games brought together over 600 drivers, many of whom were introduced to anti-doping topics.