International Automobile Federation (FIA)

News Summary:

On June 26, 2026, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) overwhelmingly voted to remove presidential term limits at its extraordinary general assembly in Macau, allowing Mohammed Ben Sulayem to remain president beyond the previous 12-year cap after more than 90 percent of members approved the proposal. Earlier the same day, the FIA issued a technical directive ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, clarifying aspects of permitted diffuser designs to halt increasingly elaborate constructions, specifically detailing new permissions for trailing edge winglets and stays. Also on June 26, the FIA cleared Lewis Hamilton’s Scuderia Ferrari after an extensive post-race inspection confirmed its compliance with Formula 1’s technical regulations ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix. Separately, a report on June 26 highlighted improved FIA relations with Formula 1 drivers, noting that only one penalty point has been issued across seven races this year—to Franco Colapinto for failing to slow under yellow flags—with no penalty points arising from on-track incidents. Previously, on June 26, the FIA reported its strongest financial results in a decade for FY2025, with an operating profit of €6.7 million, a 43% year-on-year increase, and operating revenue reaching €191.7 million, a 75% increase since FY2021, marking a significant turnaround from a €-24 million operating loss in 2021.