Teams call for balance between transparency and secrecy in FIA investigations

April 1, 2024 4:05 pm

The FIA ​​has been the target of requests for greater transparency in its investigative processes. Recent cases, such as the possible conflict of interests between Toto and Susie Wolff, the influence of president Mohammed Ben Sulayem on race management decisions, and the accusation of a Red Bull employee against Christian Horner, have raised questions about the entity’s role in Formula 1.

Although these are different situations, they all share one characteristic: the lack of information about the progress and outcome of the investigations. Peter Bayer, CEO of Visa Cash App RB and colleague of Horner, defends the autonomy of the FIA ​​and the competence of those involved in analyzing the investigations.

The director recognizes, however, the desire for greater transparency: “The sport has grown a lot in a short time. Many people ask for clarity. We need to understand where we can be transparent, but when dealing with individual reports, we need to ensure that whistleblowers are protected. Employment contracts, for example, should not be disclosed. It’s a challenge. As a sport, we need to learn and evolve,” said Bayer.

Even though he agrees with the need for transparency, Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur highlights the priority of the fans: “I agree with the need for clarity, but honestly, the fans don’t ask me about legal proceedings. They want to see exciting competitions on the tracks. I’ve never had a fan or guest interested in legal cases. Our focus must be motorsport.”

The FIA ​​walks a fine line. On the one hand, it needs to guarantee confidentiality to protect whistleblowers and preserve the confidentiality of contracts. On the other, it faces demands for clarity in its processes to strengthen the category’s credibility. The debate is on, and finding the ideal balance will be essential for the FIA ​​to move forward.

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