FIA News: Shaila-Ann Rao is re-hired back by the FIA

Former senior executive Shaila-Ann Rao has made a surprise return to Formula 1’s governing body the FIA.

Rao, who in 2022 left her position as interim secretary general after just six months in the role, has been appointed adviser to president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Rao is a lawyer who before joining the FIA the first time around had been general counsel to the Mercedes Formula 1 team and special adviser to their boss Toto Wolff.

Rao returns to the FIA as Ben Sulayem prepares to run for a second term in December’s presidential election.

The Emirati contacted Rao himself about returning to the organization.

Rao’s re-appointment also comes in the wake of a series of controversies affecting Ben Sulayem over the three years of his presidency.

Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile Press Release

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organizations worldwide, has today announced that Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has appointed Shaila-Ann Rao as a Presidential Advisor.

Ms Rao will provide advice to the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile President on a range of issues including regulatory and commercial matters related to the seven FIA World Championships. She will commence her role on 1^st May 2025.

Ms Rao is a dual qualified lawyer, being both an English Solicitor and a French Lawyer admitted to the Paris Bar, and has significant experience in global motor sport having previous served as the Interim FIA Secretary General for Motor Sport and as FIA Legal Director. She has also worked as General Counsel for the Mercedes F1 Team and as Special Advisor to its CEO & Team Principal, Toto Wolff.

Ms Rao’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for the FIA, as the Federation continues its successful organizational transformation and financial reform, reflected in forecasted 2024 operation results of € 2.2m in contrast to the -€ 24m that was inherited in 2021.

FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said

“I am delighted to welcome back Shaila-Ann Rao to the FIA. She has an exceptional record in global motor sport and will be a great asset to me and my team as we continue to improve the regulatory and commercial frameworks across all the FIA World Championships benefiting our drivers, teams and Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile Member Clubs. She will also advise me on matters related to all the FIA World Championship promoters.”

Shaila-Ann Rao, Advisor to the FIA President said:

“I am looking forward to advising the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile President across the FIA World Championships and building on the significant progress that has already been made during his Presidential term strengthening the Championships’ regulatory and commercial frameworks. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile holds a unique place in global sport, and I am excited to support the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile at this time and to help the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile President deliver an even stronger future for motor sport.”