FIA news
The FIA World Motor Sport Council convened today, 26 February, for its first meeting of 2025. Chaired by President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, WMSC members joined globally via video conference.
In his opening address, the FIA President set out the priorities for the new year, recognising the strong foundations put in place by the FIA in 2024 and highlighting the work that will continue this year to build on these foundations throughout 2025. Particular emphasis was given to the growth of accessibility and the delivery of strong, clear regulations that protect and enhance motor sport.
Welcoming and thanking the Members for their efforts, the President addressed the World Council, saying:
“In 2024, we celebrated 120 years of FIA achievements. In 2025, we’ll keep moving forward, taking it to the next level, driving innovation, expanding our expertise, and uniting to deliver safer, more thrilling, and sustainable motorsport. In my manifesto, I promised strong regulations and a respected FIA, and we are well on our way to delivering that.
“We are breathing new life into our championships through innovations, partnerships and new agreements.”
President Ben Sulayem also shared details of the expansive work taking place to invest in the future of the seven FIA World Championships, in particular via the training and support of Officials, noting:
“Motor sport thrives thanks to dedicated volunteers and officials. Earlier this month, we welcomed over 230 attendees to the first FIA Officials Summit since 2020, with the summit marking the first largescale educational event delivered by the new Officials department. We are ready for the 2025 season—a season of safe, fair, and well-regulated competition.”
Ushering in a year of respect, World Council members shared their support for the FIA’s efforts in upholding the code of conduct to promote sportsmanship best practice including expectations around language and behaviour, in line with the position taken by international governing bodies across the sporting community.
As role models for young motorsport fans and ambassadors to the wider sporting world, how drivers act on the track and in the paddock matters and the code of conduct includes expectations around language that can be seen as offensive or inappropriate by many, or acts that could be deemed detrimental to the sport.
President Ben Sulayem said: “Our role as regulators and guardians of the very essence of motorsport requires us to speak out against all forms of harassment of athletes and to take firm action against it.
“At all levels, our sport is underpinned by respect, and I urge the sporting community to consider the impact of their actions both online and offline.”
The FIA’s United Against Online Abuse campaign is committed to abolishing online abuse and hate speech targeted at athletes, and unites sports federations, national governments, regulators, and internet platforms to quell virtual harm.
The following is a summary of decisions taken at today’s WMSC meeting:
Mandatory 2-stop strategies in Monaco
The WMSC reviewed a proposal regarding the implementation of a mandatory 2-stop strategy (in both wet and dry conditions) for the Monaco GP, with the primary intent of improving the sporting spectacle of this race.
Following recent discussions in the F1 Commission, a specific requirement for the Monaco GP has been approved mandating the use of at least three sets of tyres in the race, with a minimum of two different tyre compounds to be used if it’s a dry race.
Vision 2030: a new strategy for the growth and success of global motorsport
Approved by the WMSC members, the FIA’s Vision 2030 sets out the strategy for motorsport across the next five years, delivering a dynamic roadmap to advance accessibility, innovation, and sustainability, whilst preserving the spirit of competition.
With the empowerment of motorsport, Member Clubs, and sporting stakeholders front of mind, the strategy has been developed under the supervision of Secretary General for Sport Valerio Iachizzi, and is designed to be adaptable to global changes, evolving technologies, and the input of the global motorsport community.
Structured around five key pillars, Vision 2030 is designed to work cohesively to meet the evolving demands of motorsport.
- Global accessibility, diversity, and inclusion: opening doors and breaking down barriers, bringing motorsport to every corner of the world
- Innovation, technology, advancement and education: pushing the limits of what’s possible while leading the charge in creating a smarter, cleaner, and more efficient future
- Sustainability and environmental leadership: reducing our footprint and leading by example. Motorsport as a force for positive change
- Financial growth and reinvestment: ensuring the future of motorsport for tomorrow
- Strengthening the FIA brand: creating powerful, lasting connections
This strategy will drive growth and relevancy, ensuring motorsport remains a global leader in entertainment, innovation, accessibility, and sustainability for future generations.
Alongside the pillars, Vision 2030 sets seven key objectives for the FIA over the next five years:
- Expand global accessibility and reach
- Advance innovation and technology within motorsport
- Promote environmental sustainability across all FIA activities and areas
- Enhance educations, diversity and inclusion within the motorsport community
- Ensure long-term financial sustainability, growth and reinvestment
- Lead the development of global motorsport standards
- Foster stronger partnerships with key stakeholders
Progress and success measurement will be key to ensure effective implementation and adaptability, with biennial strategy refinement, regular reviews, and results tracking taking place across the five-year period.
President’s Development Fund signals increased support and regional empowerment for Member Clubs
WMSC Members received an overview of the President’s Development Fund that will provide Member Clubs with collaborative, multi-year support, for high impact projects selected for their ability to make a lasting difference.
Focusing on four key areas – Affordable Cross Car, Motorsport in a Box, eSports, and Karting, the £750,000 annual sum, supported via funds diverted from the Presidential travel budget and managed by the Secretary General for Sport’s department, will continue to contribute to the FIA’s objective of doubling motorsport participation, increasing accessibility and diversity, growing grassroots activity, and continuing to drive sporting innovation.
Simplification of World Championship Commissions and WMSC Committee structure discussed
WMSC Members discussed the need for the simplification of the Commission and Committee structures, agreeing that the current system is unclear and unapproachable. Simplification and providing a clear, solution-focused structure will provide clarity while benefiting decision making Members and Clubs. It was agreed that a working group to discuss the process of simplification will be set up, with the new structure to be proposed at the next WMSC meeting in June.
Regulatory updates:
ABB FIA FORMULA E WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Following a thorough tender process, ABB, the current charger provider of the all-electric single seater series, has been appointed as charger supplier for the GEN4 era (Seasons 13 to 16) of Formula E, starting in 2026.
ROAD SPORT COMMITTEE
To coincide with the start of the Indian National Championship and qualifying for the APRC Asia Cup, the South India Rally, round two of the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship, has been postponed by two weeks.
Due to scheduling adjustments, the Historic Vltava Rallye, round two of the FIA European Historic Rally Championship, has been postponed by one day. Originally set to take place on April 25-26, the event will now run from April 26-27.
GT Commission: FIA GT World Cup set for a new qualifying format; date confirmed
The date of the eighth edition of the FIA GT World Cup, held as part of the Macau Grand Prix, has been confirmed for 13 – 16 November 2025.
Following an in-depth revision, incorporating competitors’ feedback, the qualifying format of the FIA GT World Cup has been revised. In addition to the 30-minute qualifying session known from the previous editions (Q1), a second segment of qualifying (Q2), reserved for the top ten drivers from the first session, has been added.
The Q2 session will be held in a ‘Super Pole’ format, with each driver going out on track individually for a total of two qualifying laps, and each competitor also being permitted to use a new set of tyres in that session.
The rest of the event’s program will remain the same as in the previous editions, featuring a 12-lap qualifying race followed by a 16-lap FIA GT World Cup-deciding main race.
Touring Car Commission: new end-of-season competition, gathering the best from national and regional levels
The introduction of the FIA TCR World Ranking Final, a new standalone end-of season touring car competition gathering the best drivers from TCR World Ranking System (excluding full-time Kumho FIA TCR World Tour competitors) has been validated. The inaugural edition will be held at Vallelunga from 21-23 November, one week after the conclusion of the eight-event World Tour season.
The TCR World Ranking system was introduced by WSC Group, TCR’s commercial rights holder, ahead of the 2023 season and takes into account a broad range of competitions for TCR machinery taking place the world over, from Kumho FIA TCR World Tour to regional and national competitions, with the standings updated on a weekly basis.
Drifting Commission
The council has approved new vehicle specifications for drifting cars. In addition to the first-ever common vehicle standard for Drifting Cars, known as DC1, which is reserved for the most powerful vehicles taking part in top-level competitions, two new sets of specifications providing a technical framework for entry and intermediate levels of the sport, with a focus on safety and accessibility, have also been introduced.
DC3 regulations have been designed for entry-level competitions, forming the basis of the drifting pyramid. The regulations set out minimum vehicle safety standards, while ensuring that the costs remain low as the vehicles will remain close in specification to road-going cars. The DC2 standard serves as an intermediate step between DC3 and DC1 classes, bridging the gap between grassroots-level and professional drifting.
2025 FIA sporting calendars were approved as follows: Link
Upcoming World Motor Sport Council Meetings
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Date
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Venue
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10th June
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Macau – within the framework of the FIA Conference
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16th October
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Virtual
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10th December
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Tashkent, Uzbekistan – within the framework of the FIA General Assemblies
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WMSCWorld Motor Sport Council
FIA1FIAWorld Motor Sport CouncilWMSC00Wednesday, February 26, 2025 – 3:47pmWednesday, February 26, 2025 – 3:47pm
