FIA announces shock return of Rao as advisor to Ben Sulayem

Shaila-Ann Rao has returned to the FIA after the world governing body for motorsport confirmed her appointment as a presidential advisor.

It marks another post for Rao, who previously worked for the FIA as legal director between 2016-2018 and as interim secretary general for motorsport for a five-month spell in 2022.

Her initial return followed a stint working at Mercedes and saw her step into the role vacated by Peter Bayer, who led the investigation into the ending of Formula 1’s controversial 2021 championship.

Rao worked on the cost cap investigation into Red Bull, a contentious call given her previous association with rivals Mercedes, and she duly departed at the end of the 2022 season, before reports surfaced she had accused Ben Sulayem of misconduct.

“FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has appointed Shaila-Ann Rao as a Presidential Advisor,” an FIA statement read.

“Ms Rao will provide advice to the FIA President on a range of issues including regulatory and commercial matters related to the seven FIA World Championships. She will commence her role on 1st 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.

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

Rao will now act as an advisor to Ben Sulayem, who has courted controversy in recent times as he seeks to be re-elected as FIA president.

He has attempted to clamp down on drivers swearing, has been accused of stalling on the governance side of the new F1 Concorde Agreement, and a number of high-profile resignations have been attributed to conflicts with the Emirati.

Two years ago, The Daily Telegraph reported Ben Sulayem was facing fresh accusations of sexism and bullying from the recently departed Rao, who is now back working alongside the president.

“I am looking forward to advising the FIA 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,” Rao said after taking up her new position.

“The FIA holds a unique place in global sport, and I am excited to support the FIA at this time and to help the FIA President deliver an even stronger future for motor sport.”

For Ben Sulayem’s part, he laid out what Rao will now bring to the FIA following her latest appointment.

“I am delighted to welcome back Shaila-Ann Rao to the FIA,” he said. “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 FIA Member Clubs.

“She will also advise me on matters related to all the FIA World Championship promoters.”