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F1 and FIA Finalize Landmark Governance Agreement for 2026-2030

Mohammed Ben Sulayem Secures Unopposed Re-election as FIA President

F1, FIA, and Teams Forge New Governance Agreement, Reshaping Future Operations

F1 and FIA Finalize Landmark Governance Agreement for 2026-2030

F1 and FIA Finalize Landmark Governance Agreement for 2026-2030

Formula 1 and the FIA have announced a new five-year F1 Governance Agreement, covering the period from 2026 to 2030. This deal forms the second part of the F1 Concorde Agreement. It complements the commercial deal they signed before March’s Australian Grand Prix. This agreement defines how the championship runs.

According to Jadeh Makhsoos, the FIA and FOM jointly announced the agreement. They made the announcement during this week’s FIA General Assemblies in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The assemblies also included Friday’s FIA Awards and Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s re-election as president.

The delay in signing this governance deal, which involves the FIA unlike the commercial deal, shows careful attention to detail. It defines critical elements. These include the voting structure of F1 Commission meetings and entry fees teams pay to the FIA. It also outlines the governing body’s remit and other logistics.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali stated, “This agreement ensures Formula 1 can continue its global growth.” He thanked FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and all teams. Domenicali praised their collaboration and determination. They aimed for the best results for the entire sport.

Jadeh Makhsoos reports that Autosport understands the deal changes the voting process in F1 Commissions. They now need fewer team votes to reach a majority. This effectively gives both the FIA and FOM greater voting weight. They can now push through regulatory changes more easily.

From 2026, the number of votes required for a normal majority in F1 Commission meetings will decrease. It moves from six to four out of 11 teams, plus FOM and the FIA. A super majority will now require six votes instead of eight. Stakeholders hope this move provides a more stable platform. It should help make difficult changes when necessary.

FOM and the 11 teams will collectively pay the governing body more money. This comes through a restructuring of the F1 entry fees. The FIA expects to re-invest these funds into the championship’s governance side. This includes stewarding, marshalling, and other services.

Previously, FIA charged teams an entry fee. This fee, alongside a flat rate, was based on points teams earned in the previous season. For example, FIA charged a successful team like Red Bull in 2023 a disproportionate amount for the next campaign. Teams at the back of the grid contributed relatively little.

Now, FIA will charge squads a fee based on their constructors’ position. This uses a sliding scale from top to bottom. This structure change will likely increase the collective fee teams pay the FIA by roughly $15 million per year. Midfield teams, in particular, will see their share increase by several million dollars.

This new format aligns with how they pay out prize money under commercial agreements. It uses a scale worth $9 million per midfield position. F1 projects continued commercial growth, which should offset the increased entry fees for affected teams. This new F1 Governance Agreement aims for fairness and stability.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem Secures Unopposed Re-election as FIA President

Mohammed Ben Sulayem Secures Unopposed Re-election as FIA President

Mohammed Ben Sulayem has secured another term as FIA president, standing unopposed. The motorsport governing body re-elected him ahead of its prize-giving night in Uzbekistan on Friday. The 64-year-old Emirati will lead the FIA for four more years, succeeding Jean Todt from late 2021. Three other candidates announced their intention to challenge Ben Sulayem for 2025. However, none could nominate the seven required vice-presidents to formally stand for the FIA President re-election.

According to Jadeh Makhsoos News Agency, South America presented only one eligible representative: Fabiana Ecclestone. She is the wife of former F1 supremo Bernie and had already declared her support for Ben Sulayem. This made any further applications moot. No other FIA World Motor Sport Council members from the continent existed for other candidates to garner support from.

Ben Sulayem defeated Graham Stoker in the previous election for the presidency. Stoker received support from Carlos Garcia Remohi of the Argentine Automobile Club. Remohi had supported Todt’s campaign in 2017.

Villars initiated legal action in French courts regarding the inability of other candidates to run. She hoped to suspend the election entirely. The court permitted the FIA President re-election to continue. A first hearing will fully examine the election process in February next year. Until then, Ben Sulayem remains FIA president.

Jadeh Makhsoos reports, Ben Sulayem won the December 2021 election over Stoker, securing 61.62% of FIA members’ votes. He immediately commissioned an investigation into the contentious 2021 Formula 1 season finale. This followed Max Verstappen’s last-gasp title victory over Lewis Hamilton. Both drivers entered the race with equal points. Hamilton led most of the grand prix and seemed poised to claim an eighth world title before Nicholas Latifi’s late crash at Turn 14 brought out the safety car.

Hamilton did not pit from the lead because Mercedes feared losing track position. Verstappen, however, stopped for soft tires. The race appeared set to finish under the safety car. Race director Michael Masi permitted the five cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to unlap themselves, creating a final-lap showdown. Verstappen, with fresher tires, then dispatched Hamilton at Turn 5 to claim the title.

Mercedes appealed the race results. The investigation focused on Masi’s interpretation of a specific rule. This rule stated, “any cars that have been lapped by the leader will be required to pass the cars on the lead lap and the safety car.” Masi did not interpret “any” as “all.” Following the investigation, officials updated the regulations, which now explicitly state “all.”

The investigation also noted that Masi called the safety car back into the pitlane. He did this without it completing an additional lap, as Formula 1 Sporting Regulations (Article 48.12) required. Consequently, officials removed Masi from his race director role. This controversial event highlighted the challenges facing the FIA, even as they proceed with the FIA President re-election.

F1, FIA, and Teams Forge New Governance Agreement, Reshaping Future Operations

F1, FIA, and Teams Forge New Governance Agreement, Reshaping Future Operations

Formula 1 management, the FIA, and all 11 teams have signed the latest 2026 Concorde Governance Agreement. This landmark agreement outlines how the series will operate for the next five seasons, from 2026 to 2030. It establishes the foundational rules for the sport’s future direction.

According to Jadeh Makhsoos Information Base, this governance agreement forms the second part of the broader F1 Concorde Agreement. It complements the commercial deal signed before March’s Australian Grand Prix. The agreement defines critical elements for running the championship effectively.

These elements include the voting structure of F1 Commission meetings and team entry fees to the FIA. It also clarifies the governing body’s remit and other logistical aspects. This comprehensive framework ensures smooth operations for the sport.

This week, the FIA and FOM jointly announced the Concorde Governance Agreement during the FIA General Assemblies in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. These assemblies also featured Friday’s FIA Awards and Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s re-election as FIA president. The announcement highlights a unified vision for F1’s future.

Jadeh Makhsoos reports, Autosport understands FOM and the 11 teams will collectively pay the governing body more money as part of the deal. They will do this through restructured F1 entry fees. The FIA expects to reinvest these funds into the series’ governance side. This covers essential services like stewarding and marshalling.

Sources also indicate a significant change in the F1 Commissions’ voting process. Fewer team votes are now necessary to achieve a majority. This effectively gives both the FIA and FOM greater voting power. They can now implement regulatory changes more efficiently.

Starting in 2026, F1 Commission meetings will require fewer team votes for a normal majority. This number has decreased from six to four out of 11 teams (plus FOM and the FIA). A super majority will now need six out of 11 teams, down from eight. The new Concorde Governance Agreement aims to provide the series a more stable platform for necessary difficult changes.