Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
Encyclopedia
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is a non-profit association established as the Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus (AIACR) on 20 June 1904 to represent the interests of motoring organisations and motor car users. To the general public, the FIA is mostly known as the governing body for many auto racing
events.
Headquartered at 8, Place de la Concorde, Paris
, the FIA consists of 213 national member organisations in 125 countries worldwide. Its current president is Jean Todt
.
As is the case with football's FIFA
, the FIA is generally known by its French name and acronym, even in non French-speaking countries, but is occasionally rendered as International Automobile Federation.
Its most prominent role is in the licencing and arbitration of Formula One
motor racing. The FIA along with the FIM
also certify land speed record
attempts.
In 1922, the FIA delegated the organisation of automobile racing to the Commission Sportive Internationale (CSI), an autonomous committee that later became the Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile
(FISA). A restructuring of the FIA in 1993 led to the disappearance of the FISA, putting motor racing under direct management of the FIA.
began in 1946 with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's (FIA's) standardisation of rules. Then in 1950, the FIA organised the first Drivers World Championship.
The World Sportscar Championship
was created in 1953, and was the first points series for sports car racing
in the world. The championship was solely for manufacturers up to 1981. From 1981, a Drivers Championship title was introduced and from 1985 the manufacturers title was replaced by a Teams Championship. The last World Sportscar Championship titles were awarded in 1992.
In 1973, the FIA organised the first World Rally Championship. The 42nd Auto Rally of Monte-Carlo became the first ever FIA World Rally Championship
event.
In 1987, the FIA sanctioned the first World Touring Car Championship
. Initially a one-off series, the title was revived in 2005
.
In 1993, the National Hot Rod Association
was officially recognised by the FIA World Motorsports Council
and the FIA Drag Racing Commission was formed. FISA was dissolved, and its activities placed directly under the FIA.
The head of the FIA and chairman of the General Assembly is the President. The President is elected to a four-year term by the FIA General Assembly, and from October 2005 onward will not be permitted to serve more than two terms. The previous President, who took office in 1993 and began his fourth term in 2005, is Max Mosley
. Mosley did not stand for re-election in October 2009, with Jean Todt being elected president.
The 10-member FIA Senate consists of the President of the Senate; the current and previous Presidents of the FIA; the Deputy President for the FIA Mobility and the Automobile group; the Deputy President for FIA Sport group; and five further members elected by the General Assembly. From FIA Statue #17: "The Senate takes the decisions required by the management of the FIA when circumstances do not permit a meeting of the Committee or of the World Councils, especially in cases of emergency; decisions thus taken must be confirmed during the next meeting of the Committee or of the relevant World Council."
The Senate also makes accounting and budget decisions, preparing draft budgets for the World Councils. The Senate forms sub-Committees on subjects such as Commercial Promotions, in order to make recommendations and review proposals.
The FIA World Council for Mobility and the Automobile governs all non-sporting FIA activities, and is headed by the Deputy President for Mobility and the Automobile.
The FIA World Motor Sport Council
governs all the sporting events regulated by the FIA. It is also responsible for the promotion of safety in worldwide motorsport, the encouragement of standardized regulations, and the promotion of motorsport in new markets, including developing countries. The council consists of the FIA President, and Deputy President, seven FIA vice-presidents, and 17 other members. The seventeen others must represent a national sporting authority for at least one international event.
The FIA International Court of Appeal is the final appeal tribunal for international motor sport. It resolves disputes brought before it by any of motorsport’s National Sporting Authorities worldwide, or by the President of the FIA. It can also settle non-sporting disputes brought by national motoring organizations affiliated to the FIA.
Other organisations and posts include the Mobility and Automobile commissions, sporting commissions, the FIA Deputy President for Sport, and the FIA Secretariat.
, Austria
on 6–8 February, twelve drivers were selected.
Martin Brundle
wrote a column in the Sunday Times entitled "Witch-hunt threatens to spoil world title race" in which he accused the FIA of a witch-hunt against McLaren. The World Motor Sport Council responded by issuing a writ
against the Sunday Times on charges of libel. Brundle hit back saying that "I have earned the right to have an opinion" and suggesting the writ was a "warning sign to other journalists". The 2007 Formula One espionage controversy
involved accusations of theft made against McLaren, who was accused of stealing technological secrets from Ferrari.
In 2008, accusations surfaced that FIA President Max Mosley was involved in scandalous sexual behavior. Following a June 2008 decision of the FIA to retain Max Mosley as president, the German branch of the FIA, the ADAC
(the largest European motoring body), announced, "We view with regret and incredulity the FIA general assembly's decision in Paris, confirming Max Mosley in office as FIA president." It froze all its activities with the FIA until Max Mosley leaves office. Press reports also claimed that Bernie Ecclestone
was investigating creating a rival to the Formula 1 series due to the scandal.
On 24 June 2009, following a dispute
between the FIA and the newly-created Formula One Teams Association
(FOTA), the parties finally came to an agreement over the future of F1. Part of the agreement was that Max Mosley
must step down as FIA President and must not stand for re-election (he stood down in October 2009). A new Concorde Agreement
was subsequently signed on 31 July.
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
events.
Headquartered at 8, Place de la Concorde, Paris
Place de la Concorde
The Place de la Concorde in area, it is the largest square in the French capital. It is located in the city's eighth arrondissement, at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées.- History :...
, the FIA consists of 213 national member organisations in 125 countries worldwide. Its current president is Jean Todt
Jean Todt
Jean Todt was born on February 25, 1946, in Pierrefort, Cantal, France. After a successful career as a rally co-driver he made his reputation in motor sport management, first with Peugeot Talbot Sport, then with Scuderia Ferrari, before being appointed Chief Executive Officer of Ferrari from 2004...
.
As is the case with football's FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
, the FIA is generally known by its French name and acronym, even in non French-speaking countries, but is occasionally rendered as International Automobile Federation.
Its most prominent role is in the licencing and arbitration of Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
motor racing. The FIA along with the FIM
Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme is the governing body of motorcycle racing. It represents 103 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six regional continental unions....
also certify land speed record
Land speed record
The land speed record is the highest speed achieved by a wheeled vehicle on land. There is no single body for validation and regulation; in practice the Category C flying start regulations are used, officiated by regional or national organizations under the auspices of the Fédération...
attempts.
History
The Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus (AIACR) was founded in Paris on 20 June 1904.In 1922, the FIA delegated the organisation of automobile racing to the Commission Sportive Internationale (CSI), an autonomous committee that later became the Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile
Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile
The Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile was the governing body for motor racing events. The organisation's origins date from 1922, when the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile delegated the organisation of automobile racing to the CSI , an autonomous committee that would later...
(FISA). A restructuring of the FIA in 1993 led to the disappearance of the FISA, putting motor racing under direct management of the FIA.
Event history
The true history of Formula OneFormula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
began in 1946 with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's (FIA's) standardisation of rules. Then in 1950, the FIA organised the first Drivers World Championship.
The World Sportscar Championship
World Sportscar Championship
The World Sportscar Championship was the world series run for sports car racing by the FIA from 1953 to 1992.The championship evolved from a small collection of the most important sportscar, endurance and road racing events in Europe and North America with dozens of gentleman drivers at the grid,...
was created in 1953, and was the first points series for sports car racing
Sports car racing
Sports car racing is a form of circuit auto racing with automobiles that have two seats and enclosed wheels. They may be purpose-built or related to road-going sports cars....
in the world. The championship was solely for manufacturers up to 1981. From 1981, a Drivers Championship title was introduced and from 1985 the manufacturers title was replaced by a Teams Championship. The last World Sportscar Championship titles were awarded in 1992.
In 1973, the FIA organised the first World Rally Championship. The 42nd Auto Rally of Monte-Carlo became the first ever FIA World Rally Championship
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
event.
In 1987, the FIA sanctioned the first World Touring Car Championship
World Touring Car Championship
For the video game, known as World Touring Car Championship in Japan, see TOCA World Touring CarsThe FIA World Touring Car Championship is an international Touring Car championship sanctioned by the FIA.-History:...
. Initially a one-off series, the title was revived in 2005
2005 World Touring Car Championship season
The 2005 World Touring Car Championship season was the second World Touring Car Championship season, and the first since 1987. It featured a ten event, twenty race series which commenced on April 10, 2005 and ended on November 20...
.
In 1993, the National Hot Rod Association
National Hot Rod Association
The National Hot Rod Association is a drag racing governing body, which sets rules in drag racing and host events all over the United States and Canada...
was officially recognised by the FIA World Motorsports Council
FIA World Motor Sport Council
The World Motor Sport Council is the most powerful body of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . It decides on rules and regulations for the FIA's various racing series, from karting to Formula One. Its membership is chosen by the FIA General Assembly, which contains representatives from...
and the FIA Drag Racing Commission was formed. FISA was dissolved, and its activities placed directly under the FIA.
Organisational structure
The FIA General Assembly is The Federation's supreme governing body, consisting of the presidents of the FIA's numerous member clubs.The head of the FIA and chairman of the General Assembly is the President. The President is elected to a four-year term by the FIA General Assembly, and from October 2005 onward will not be permitted to serve more than two terms. The previous President, who took office in 1993 and began his fourth term in 2005, is Max Mosley
Max Mosley
Max Rufus Mosley is the former president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile , a non-profit association that represents the interests of motoring organisations and car users worldwide...
. Mosley did not stand for re-election in October 2009, with Jean Todt being elected president.
The 10-member FIA Senate consists of the President of the Senate; the current and previous Presidents of the FIA; the Deputy President for the FIA Mobility and the Automobile group; the Deputy President for FIA Sport group; and five further members elected by the General Assembly. From FIA Statue #17: "The Senate takes the decisions required by the management of the FIA when circumstances do not permit a meeting of the Committee or of the World Councils, especially in cases of emergency; decisions thus taken must be confirmed during the next meeting of the Committee or of the relevant World Council."
The Senate also makes accounting and budget decisions, preparing draft budgets for the World Councils. The Senate forms sub-Committees on subjects such as Commercial Promotions, in order to make recommendations and review proposals.
The FIA World Council for Mobility and the Automobile governs all non-sporting FIA activities, and is headed by the Deputy President for Mobility and the Automobile.
The FIA World Motor Sport Council
FIA World Motor Sport Council
The World Motor Sport Council is the most powerful body of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . It decides on rules and regulations for the FIA's various racing series, from karting to Formula One. Its membership is chosen by the FIA General Assembly, which contains representatives from...
governs all the sporting events regulated by the FIA. It is also responsible for the promotion of safety in worldwide motorsport, the encouragement of standardized regulations, and the promotion of motorsport in new markets, including developing countries. The council consists of the FIA President, and Deputy President, seven FIA vice-presidents, and 17 other members. The seventeen others must represent a national sporting authority for at least one international event.
The FIA International Court of Appeal is the final appeal tribunal for international motor sport. It resolves disputes brought before it by any of motorsport’s National Sporting Authorities worldwide, or by the President of the FIA. It can also settle non-sporting disputes brought by national motoring organizations affiliated to the FIA.
Other organisations and posts include the Mobility and Automobile commissions, sporting commissions, the FIA Deputy President for Sport, and the FIA Secretariat.
Presidents
| President | Years as president |
|---|---|
| Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus | |
 Etienne van Zuylen van Nijevelt |
1904–1931 |
| Robert de Vogüé |
1931–1936 |
| Jehan de Rohan-Chabot |
1936–1946 |
| Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile | |
| Jehan de Rohan-Chabot |
1946–1958 |
| Hadelin de Liedekerke Beaufort |
1958–1963 |
 Filippo Caracciolo di Castagneto |
1963–1965 |
| Wilfrid Andrews | 1965–1971 |
 Amaury de Merode |
1971–1975 |
 Paul Metternich |
1975–1985 |
| Jean-Marie Balestre Jean-Marie Balestre Jean-Marie Balestre was a French auto racing executive, who was president of FISA from 1978 to 1991 and of the FIA from 1985 to 1993.-Biography:Balestre was born at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône.... |
1985–1993 |
| Max Mosley Max Mosley Max Rufus Mosley is the former president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile , a non-profit association that represents the interests of motoring organisations and car users worldwide... |
1993–2009 |
| Jean Todt Jean Todt Jean Todt was born on February 25, 1946, in Pierrefort, Cantal, France. After a successful career as a rally co-driver he made his reputation in motor sport management, first with Peugeot Talbot Sport, then with Scuderia Ferrari, before being appointed Chief Executive Officer of Ferrari from 2004... |
2009-present |
Current Deputy Presidents
| Deputy President |
|---|
| Graham Stoker |
| Brian Gibbons Brian Gibbons Dr Brian Gibbons, AM, FRCGP was the Labour Party Assembly Member for Aberavon from May 1999 to May 2010, when he stood down... |
Current Vice Presidents
| Vice Presidents |
|---|
 Carlos Barbosa |
| Franco Lucchesi |
 Danijel Starman |
 Gus Lagman |
 Ignacio Gonzalez Fausto |
 Victor Dumot Martinez |
 Jorge Rosales |
| Jose Abed |
 Michel BoeriMichel Boeri Michel Boeri is the current president of the FIA's Senate and a Vice-President of the World Motor Sport Council. He is also the president of the Automobile Club de Monaco and has held political places in Monaco's government.... |
| Morrie Chandler |
| Enrico Gelpi |
 Carlos Gracia Fuertes |
 Mohammed Ben SulayemMohammed Ben Sulayem '"Mohammed Ahmed bin Sulayem" "Mohammed ben Sulayem" is a UAE champion rally driver who lives in Dubai and is one the Arab world’s most famous sportsmen.... |
 Surinder Thatthi |
Current Committee Members
| Committee Members |
|---|
| Peter Meyer |
 Maria Spetz |
| Sebastià Salvadó |
| Lars Österlind |
 Werner Kraus |
 Niklaus Lundsgaard Hansen |
 Guido van Woerkom |
| Thierry Willemarck |
 Mike Harris |
| Geoff Lange |
 Setsuo Tanaka |
 Bernard Tay |
 Robert Darbelnet |
 Earl Jarrett |
 Tim Shearman |
 Iván Dibós |
| Garry Connelly |
 Vassilis Despotopoulos |
| Luis Pinto de Freitas |
 Zrinko Gregurek |
 Wan Heping |
 Victor Kiryanov |
| Hugo Mersan |
 Radovan Novak |
 Vicenzo Spano |
| Teng Lip Tan |
FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy
In October 2010, the FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy was announced; a new programme to develop young driver talent worldwide. After a three-day shootout in MelkMelk
Melk is a city of Austria, in the federal state of Lower Austria, next to the Wachau valley along the Danube. Melk has a population of 5,222 ....
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
on 6–8 February, twelve drivers were selected.
Criticism
In June 1999, the EU commission opened an investigation in to the FIA over anti-competitive behaviour in the protection of FIA sanctioned series. A settlement was reached in June 2001Martin Brundle
Martin Brundle
Martin John Brundle is a British racing driver from England, known as a Formula One driver and as an F1 commentator for ITV Sport from 1997 to 2008, the BBC from 2009 to 2011 and Sky Sports from 2012....
wrote a column in the Sunday Times entitled "Witch-hunt threatens to spoil world title race" in which he accused the FIA of a witch-hunt against McLaren. The World Motor Sport Council responded by issuing a writ
Writ
In common law, a writ is a formal written order issued by a body with administrative or judicial jurisdiction; in modern usage, this body is generally a court...
against the Sunday Times on charges of libel. Brundle hit back saying that "I have earned the right to have an opinion" and suggesting the writ was a "warning sign to other journalists". The 2007 Formula One espionage controversy
2007 Formula One espionage controversy
The 2007 Formula One espionage controversy, also known as "Spygate," or "Stepneygate" involves allegations that the McLaren Formula One team was passed confidential technical information from the Ferrari team, and that the Renault F1 team was passed confidential technical information from the...
involved accusations of theft made against McLaren, who was accused of stealing technological secrets from Ferrari.
In 2008, accusations surfaced that FIA President Max Mosley was involved in scandalous sexual behavior. Following a June 2008 decision of the FIA to retain Max Mosley as president, the German branch of the FIA, the ADAC
ADAC
The ADAC is Germany's and Europe's largest automobile club, with more than 17 million members in June 2010. It was founded on May 24, 1903 as "Deutsche Motorradfahrer-Vereinigung" and was renamed in 1911...
(the largest European motoring body), announced, "We view with regret and incredulity the FIA general assembly's decision in Paris, confirming Max Mosley in office as FIA president." It froze all its activities with the FIA until Max Mosley leaves office. Press reports also claimed that Bernie Ecclestone
Bernie Ecclestone
Bernard Charles "Bernie" Ecclestone is an English business magnate, as president and CEO of Formula One Management and Formula One Administration and through his part-ownership of Alpha Prema, the parent company of the Formula One Group of companies. As such, he is generally considered the primary...
was investigating creating a rival to the Formula 1 series due to the scandal.
On 24 June 2009, following a dispute
FIA–FOTA dispute
The FIA–FOTA dispute was a series of ongoing political clashes between the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile and Formula One Teams Association over proposed changes to the rules and regulations for the 2010 Formula One season...
between the FIA and the newly-created Formula One Teams Association
Formula One Teams Association
The Formula One Teams Association is a group of Formula One teams that was formed at a meeting in Maranello on 29 July 2008. This organisation gives the teams a united voice in their ongoing discussions with the FIA and The Formula One Group regarding the future of Formula One. It is headed by...
(FOTA), the parties finally came to an agreement over the future of F1. Part of the agreement was that Max Mosley
Max Mosley
Max Rufus Mosley is the former president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile , a non-profit association that represents the interests of motoring organisations and car users worldwide...
must step down as FIA President and must not stand for re-election (he stood down in October 2009). A new Concorde Agreement
Concorde Agreement
The Concorde Agreement is a contract between the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile , the Formula One teams and the Formula One Administration which dictates the terms by which the teams compete in races and take their share of the television revenues and prize money...
was subsequently signed on 31 July.
See also
External links
- The FIA's official website
- 50by50: Global Fuel Economy Initiative
- Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile at Notable Names Database