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By Riccardo Tafà| Posted February 1, 2025 | In Formula 1, Formula1
In the vast and fascinating world of motorsport, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, better known as the FIA, plays a crucial and multifunctional role. Founded in 1904, the FIA is the international governing body that oversees numerous motorsports disciplines, from the prestigious Formula 1 Rally, through the World Endurance Championship and Formula E. But what exactly are the functions of the FIA in the motor racing landscape?
To fully understand the importance of the FIA, it is useful to take a step back in history. The FIA was formally established on June 20, 1904, as the Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus (AIACR), with the aim of representing the interests of motorists and overseeing international motor racing. In 1946, the AIACR was reorganized and renamed the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), assuming the form and functions we know today.
One of the main responsibilities of the FIA is the establishment and enforcement of technical and sporting regulations in motor racing. This includes determining the technical specifications of cars, such as size, weight, engines and aerodynamics, ensuring that all teams compete on an equal basis. For example, in Formula 1, the FIA sets detailed regulations on components such as the energy recovery system and aerodynamics of single-seaters. In addition to the technical aspects, the FIA sets the sporting rules governing the conduct of races. This includes the management of race formats, qualifying procedures, the awarding of points and the application of penalties for infringements. For example, the FIA sets procedures for starts, rules for pit stops and penalties for misbehavior on the track.
Safety is at the heart of the FIA’s mission. After tragic accidents such as those that occurred during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, which led to the deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger, the FIA established the Safety Advisory Committee to improve safety in motorsport. This has led to significant advances, such as the introduction of the Head and Neck Support ( HANS ) device and the implementation of the Halo, a protection structure for drivers’ heads. In addition, the FIA conducts rigorous crash tests on cars and sets standards for drivers’ protective clothing, such as helmets and fireproof suits. These efforts have greatly reduced the number of serious accidents and improved overall safety in racing.
In recent years, the FIA has taken a leading role in promoting environmental sustainability in motorsport. Through initiatives such as Formula E, the world championship for electric cars, the FIA aims to promote clean and sustainable technologies. This not only reflects an environmental responsibility, but also serves as a testbed for innovations that can be transferred to production cars. In addition, the FIA has introduced regulations to limit CO2 emissions emissions and promote the use of sustainable fuels in racing. These measures aim to reduce the environmental impact of racing and encourage the development of environmentally friendly technologies.
The FIA is responsible forissuing licenses for drivers, teams and circuits, ensuring that all participants meet the standards required to compete internationally. This process ensures that only qualified individuals and organizations can participate in competitions, maintaining high standards of professionalism and safety. In addition, the FIA oversees the organization of competitions, working with local and national organizers to ensure that events are held in accordance with international regulations. This includes homologating circuits, supervising race procedures, and ensuring that safety measures are adequate.
In the world of racing, disputes are inevitable. The FIA acts as an impartial arbiter, handling protests, investigating incidents and applying sanctions when necessary. This ensures that competitions are fair and that all parties involved abide by the established rules. For example, in cases of on-track incidents or alleged violations of regulations, the FIA conducts thorough investigations and, if necessary, imposes penalties that can range from fines to disqualifications. This system of arbitration is critical to maintaining the integrity of the sport.
In recent times, the relationship between the FIA and Formula 1 drivers has been characterized by tensions and disputes over various regulatory and disciplinary issues. Here are some significant examples:
In 2024, the FIA introduced new rules to crack down on drivers’ use of offensive language. This led to significant fines for prominent drivers:
These sanctions drew strong reactions from drivers, who expressed their displeasure through the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), demanding to be treated as adults and criticizing the approach of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
In January 2025, the FIA announced a further tightening of disciplinary rules, introducing harsher penalties for behavior deemed inappropriate, such as the use of swearing or offensive gestures. The new penalties include:
These measures have intensified tensions between the FIA and the drivers, with some accusing Ben Sulayem of behaving authoritatively.
Tensions are not limited to the drivers. Tim Mayer, a former FIA race commissioner with 15 years of experience, was fired in 2024 and publicly criticized Ben Sulayem, accusing him of interfering with the commissioners’ independence and causing high staff turnover within the organization.
In 2024, Red Bull and Ferrari raised concerns about McLaren’s “Flexi-Wing” design, claiming it could violate FIA regulations. Although the FIA initially found no irregularities, McLaren decided to change the design to avoid further controversy.
The relationship between the FIA and Formula 1 drivers is not always adversarial. There is also significant collaborative work to improve the sport, ranging from safety to sustainability. However, these incidents highlight how tension can emerge in such a competitive and highly regulated environment, underscoring the importance of ongoing dialogue to adapt and refine the rules in response to the demands of modern motorsport. The relationship between The FIA and the players in F1 is complex, and decisions made by the regulatory body directly influence the course and character of racing, emphasizing the responsibility the FIA holds in shaping the future of motorsport. The FIA therefore plays an essential role in ensuring that motorsport functions in a safe, fair and sustainable manner.
Through technical and sporting regulation, the promotion of safety, sustainable innovation and competition management, the FIA ensures that motorsport continues to thrive, providing entertainment for fans and contributing to the technological development of the motorsport industry.
Are you ready to explore the transformative power of athlete sponsorship for your brand? Click here to learn more about how sponsorship can help brands grow and thrive in the exciting world of motorsports.
Managing Director for RTR Sports, Riccardo graduated in law at the University of Bologna. He began his career in London in PR, then started working in two and four-wheelers. A brief move to Monaco followed before returning to Italy. There he founded RTR, first a consulting firm and then a sports marketing company which, eventually, he moved back to London.
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Read MoreIn an era where it is possible to get anywhere with a click, there is a strong temptation to approach teams and properties directly for sponsorship projects.
By doing so, we are convinced that we are shortening the value chain, saving time and money. However, these DYI methods are anything but risk-free and what initially appears to be a competitive advantage soon turns into a problem that is difficult to resolve. That’s why there are agencies. And this is why you should rely on us for your sponsorships.
When first approaching a sponsorship or sports marketing project, it is difficult to know immediately which stakeholders are correct, what the decision flow is, and what the right timelines are for each process. Sports is a very specialized field of action, and fitting effectively into its paths can take a lot of time and therefore money. We, on the other hand, know referents and spheres of action and know who to talk to, when and how. So you are also more effective.
Sports is an immense passion, and for our heart colors we would be willing to do anything. But business is a different business, and it is important to make the best possible strategic decisions based on independent research, statistics and reliable data. A sports marketing and sports sponsorship agency like RTR has an objective, 360-degree picture of the scenario and can tell you what is really best for you: which sport, which athlete, which team. This is because we possess a great deal of data and information on ratings, segmentation and attitudes. Because the numbers don’t lie. Never.
Activations are the real heart of sports sponsorship. Without them, there remains only a blank sticker on a motorcycle, car or uniform and no contact with the public, no emotional connection, no impact on the bottom line. Then how do you do it? It certainly won’t be the teams or the athletes who will help you leverage sponsorship and enjoy the many marketing rights you have paid for. To bring out the best in a sports marketing project you need an agency that knows how to use sponsorship to engage the fanbase on the Web, to reach out to Shopping Centers, to organize hospitality, to develop B2B and B2C opportunities, and to get “your” athletes in front of millions of potential consumers.
Would you ever go to the dealer who sold you the car and ask if the competitor’s car is better? No, of course. So, how do you expect to get firm measurements of the effectiveness of your sponsorship if you do not rely on someone super partes? At RTR, we have always worked with independent third-party agencies that allow us to know the return on any exposure of your brand on TV and in the media. In addition, we believe in calculating ROI as the ultimate measure of your success-so we can tell you for every penny you spend how much you are making.
We have been involved in sports sponsorship and sports marketing for more than 15 years. We are consultants in the sense that our goal is to maximize your investment, but we are also an agency that manages the project from start to finish. We have been doing this since 1995 with passion and professionalism, following three principles that have become cornerstones of our business: independence, verticality and transparency.
I would like to highlight the fact that one of the qualities of RTR is its great ability to approach the sponsorship scenario strategically, together with its passionate attitude, its amazing enthusiasm for solving problems, and its high level of professionalism.
Gianluca Degliesposti
Executive Director Server&Storage EMEA
Eurosport is truly delighted with its business relationship with Riccardo Tafà, who has become extremely popular, thanks to his detailed knowledge of the sports marketing sector and his highly diligent attitude to work.
Francois Ribeiro
Commercial Director
Passion and Expertise are the features that I have found in RTR since the very beginning. Serious and reliable professionals but also very helpful, nice and open-mind people, willing to listen and compare different ideas. All the values in which RTR believes make this agency a partner, not just a supplier, a partner with whom we have had the opportunity to achieve significant commercial results in term of success and image.
Luca Pacitto
Head of Communication
We have been working with RTR Sports Marketing for over 10 years. The objectives and the programmes of collaboration continue to be renewed and to grow with mutual satisfaction. I believe RTR is a team of great professionals led by Riccardo Tafà, who I consider a manager of exceptional skills and with a great passion for his work.
Lucio Cecchinello
Team Principal
I have known and worked with Riccardo Tafà since 1995 when we collaborated for the first time on a project for the Williams Formula 1 team. Several clients followed. After leaving Williams to work for Gerhard Berger then owner of the Toro Rosso F1 Team, I turned again to Riccardo to seek his help in finding a tool supplier for the team and Riccardo duly obliged with an introduction to USAG, a partnership with Toro Rosso which endured for five years. I recently started a new role as Group Commercial Director for the renowned Andretti Autosport organisation and I find myself working with Riccardo once again on a number of interesting projects. Why has this relationship with Riccardo endured ? He’s smart, knows the commercial side of sport inside out and back to front and he’s honest and trustworthy. Riccardo Tafà is a “doer” not a “talker”: in over 20 years I have never had a dispute either with him or with a company that he has introduced and each partnership introduced by Riccardo has delivered quantifiable ROI to rights holder and sponsor alike. I can think of no better testimonial of Riccardo’s diligence, knowledge, contact base and hard work than that.
Jim Wright
Group Commercial Director
The online platform where you can discover the latest trends, strategies and insights from the exciting world of sports marketing.
View our blogFebruary 3, 2025
Formula 1 is a sport that combines technology, precision engineering and performance at the limit, and it often raises questions even about aspects that seem taken for granted in the world of[...]
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The recent sponsorship agreement between Alpine and the Yamaha Pramac MotoGP team has captured the attention of motorsport insiders and fans, marking a significant shift in the industry&rsquo[...]
Read MoreFebruary 2, 2025
Formula 1 single-seaters are equipped with power steering, a system that facilitates steering by reducing the effort required from the driver. This component is critical for handling the high[...]
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