WMSC in Bahrain: “2023 will be a year of delivery”

The World Motor Sport Council convened for the first time in 2023 in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The meeting was hosted by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem along with FIA Deputy President for Sport, Robert Reid. WMSC members joined in person and via video conference.

The FIA President began the meeting by thanking Sheikh Abdulla Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Motorsport Federation, for hosting the event.
 
In his opening address, the President acknowledged that while 2022 was challenge year to restore the Federation to a solid financial footing, he indicated that 2023 will be a year of delivery. “Our objective is to deliver on the promise of making motor sport affordable and accessible for all,” he said. “We look forward to continuing our strong collaboration with Council members and putting the focus on the development of emerging motor sport markets.”
 
He reaffirmed that, in line with his manifesto, the organisation was committed to doubling motor sport participation and a focus on expanding diversity, not only gender and race but also geographic diversity through increased engagement with FIA Member Clubs.
 
“We have launched the Affordable Cross Car project which seeks to provide a low-cost entry point to motor sport – particularly in our developing regions,” the President said. “Just recently, we staged the first edition of the training and mentoring of Race Directors and Stewards through the new FIA High Performance Programme which aims to building a talent pool drawn from our ASNs. These initiatives will be at the heart of our diversity and inclusion drive in 2023.”
 
He also reiterated that he would be taking a more strategic role in line with the Federation’s management restructuring, led by FIA CEO Natalie Robyn. Accordingly, a number of key FIA internal staff appointments were confirmed. Valerio Iachizzi becomes Secretary General for Sport, a function that will involve development of Member Club services and relationships. Julius Renk is appointed Chief Performance Officer with responsibility for management of financial matters. Jamil El Hadef will become Director of Digital Technology and Xavier Malenfer is appointed Director of Institutional and International Relations.
 
In further comment on the launch of the FIA White Paper on online abuse at yesterday’s WMSC Strategy Session, he said: “The FIA recognises that this phenomenon has become a plague on our sport. We are committed to a zero-tolerance approach to bring about meaningful change through collaborative action. We must all promote a safe, respectful sporting environment on the racetrack – and on social media. We must work together to ensure things change for the better.”
 
Frédéric Vasseur, Team Principal of the Scuderia Ferrari, joined his first WMSC meeting as F1 Commission’s Delegate, replacing Mattia Binotto. Members were informed of the resignation of Felipe Massa as FIA Drivers’ Commission President. The process has begun to elect a successor.
 
A minute of silence was observed in memory of Roger Peart, long-time President of the FIA Circuits Commission and Canadian ASN President, and another was held for all those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
 
The following is a summary of decisions taken at today’s WMSC meeting:
 
FIA Formula One World Championship 
Due to the timing of the start of the 2023 F1 season and that of the WMSC meeting itself, the World Council had previously approved by e-vote a number of changes to the Sporting, Technical and Financial Regulations. A summary of the key changes can be found here and the updated regulations are available on fia.com.
 
The Invitation to Tender for the Single Supply of tyres to Formula 1 for the 2025, 2026 and 2027 seasons, with an option for 2028, will be launched in the coming weeks.
 
Updates to the 2026 Power Unit Technical, Sporting and Financial Regulations have been approved. These include definitions and procedures for Dyno Declarations, the provisions for the Winter Shutdown, turbocharger dimension updates and other minor amendments.
 
FIA World Rallycross Championship
The revised 2023 FIA World Rallycross Championship calendar was approved as follows:
  

* Double Header
** Subject to circuit homologation
*** Subject to promoter agreement

FIA Rally Commission
Changes to the calendars for the FIA African, CODASUR and Middle East Rally Championships as well as FIA European Rally Trophy were approved via an e-vote of the WMSC on February 10. Click here to see the calendars.
 
FIA Cross-Country Rally Commission 
Changes to the calendars for the FIA World and Middle East Cups for Cross-Country Bajas were approved. Click here to see the calendars.
 
FIA Karting Commission (CIK)
Council members approved changes to the FIA Karting regulations in recognition of the aspirations of the manufacturers involved in the karting industry.

The success of the FIA Karting International Masters’ Supercup – KZ2 at Le Mans in 2022 has given rise to the idea of extending the experience to European level. In parallel with the FIA Karting European Championship – KZ and KZ2, it has been decided to add the KZ2 Masters category reserved for drivers aged 35 and over from the 2024 season.

Further details can be found here.
 
Upcoming World Motor Sport Council meetings:
  

 
2023 sporting calendars are available here.