FIA announces shock return of Rao as advisor to Ben Sulayem

Shaila-Ann Rao has returned to the FIA after the world governing physique for motorsport confirmed her appointment as a presidential advisor.

It marks one other submit for Rao, who beforehand labored for the FIA as authorized director between 2016-2018 and as interim secretary normal for motorsport for a five-month spell in 2022.

Her preliminary return adopted a stint working at Mercedes and noticed her step into the function vacated by Peter Bayer, who led the investigation into the ending of System 1’s controversial 2021 championship.

Rao labored on the price cap investigation into Purple Bull, a contentious name given her earlier affiliation with rivals Mercedes, and he or she duly departed on the finish of the 2022 season, earlier than studies surfaced she had accused Ben Sulayem of misconduct.

“FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has appointed Shaila-Ann Rao as a Presidential Advisor,” an FIA assertion learn.

“Ms Rao will present recommendation to the FIA President on a variety of points together with regulatory and business issues associated to the seven FIA World Championships. She is going to start her function on 1st Could 2025.

“Ms Rao is a twin certified lawyer, being each an English Solicitor and a French Lawyer admitted to the Paris Bar and has vital expertise in international motor sport.

“Ms Rao’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for the FIA, because the Federation continues its profitable organisational transformation and monetary reform, mirrored in forecasted 2024 operation outcomes of € 2.2m in distinction to the -€ 24m that was inherited in 2021.”

Rao will now act as an advisor to Ben Sulayem, who has courted controversy in latest instances as he seeks to be re-elected as FIA president.

He has tried to clamp down on drivers swearing, has been accused of stalling on the governance facet of the brand new F1 Concorde Settlement, and quite a few high-profile resignations have been attributed to conflicts with the Emirati.

Two years in the past, The Every day Telegraph reported Ben Sulayem was dealing with contemporary accusations of sexism and bullying from the lately departed Rao, who’s now again working alongside the president.

“I’m trying ahead to advising the FIA President throughout the FIA World Championships and constructing on the numerous progress that has already been made throughout his Presidential time period strengthening the Championships’ regulatory and business frameworks,” Rao mentioned after taking on her new place.

“The FIA holds a novel place in international sport, and I’m excited to assist the FIA right now and to assist the FIA President ship an excellent stronger future for motor sport.”

For Ben Sulayem’s half, he laid out what Rao will now convey to the FIA following her newest appointment.

“I’m delighted to welcome again Shaila-Ann Rao to the FIA,” he mentioned. “She has an distinctive report in international motor sport and might be an awesome asset to me and my staff as we proceed to enhance the regulatory and business frameworks throughout all of the FIA World Championships benefiting our drivers, groups and FIA Member Golf equipment.

“She will even advise me on issues associated to all of the FIA World Championship promoters.”