Latest news with #Championships'
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Rao makes surprise FIA return as Ben Sulayem advisor
Former senior executive Shaila-Ann Rao has made a surprise return to Formula 1's governing body the FIA just over two years after who in 2022 left her position as interim secretary general after just six months in the role, has been appointed adviser to FIA president Mohammed Ben 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 returns to the FIA as Ben Sulayem prepares to run for a second term in December's FIA presidential Emirati contacted Rao himself about returning to the re-appointment also comes in the wake of a series of controversies affecting Ben Sulayem over the three years of his most recent of these was the resignation of deputy president for sport Robert Reid this month, expressing concerns over the direction of the governance at the FIA under Ben Sulayem's leadership. On the same day, the former chief executive officer Natalie Robyn broke the silence she had kept since she being asked to leave the organisation last summer after just 18 months in her too, expressed concerns about Ben Sulayem's leadership in remarks to BBC Sport. Rao will start work on 1 May. Her role will be as a consultant and she will provide "advice to the FIA president on a range of issues including regulatory and commercial matters related to the seven FIA World Championships," an FIA statement the statement, Ben Sulayem said: "Shaila-Ann Rao has an exceptional record in global motorsport 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."Rao said: "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."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."BBC Sport has requested further explanation for the circumstances surrounding Rao's recruitment but the FIA has not yet was unavailable for comment.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Shaila-Ann Rao returns to FIA as President Mohammed Ben Sulayem appoints her as Advisor
Shaila-Ann Rao has returned to the FIA for the third time, this time in the elite post of Advisor to the FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The announcement was made by the FIA on Wednesday, and she will officially begin work on May 1. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now She had earlier worked for the FIA as Legal Director for two years, from 2016 to 2018, and returned in 2022 in the post of Interim Secretary General for Motorsport before leaving within five months. Shaila-Ann Rao is FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's advisor now Shaila-Ann Rao will be advising the FIA President on multiple issues, including regulatory and commercial matters related to the seven FIA World Championships. On Rao's appointment, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said in a statement: '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 FIA Member Clubs. She will also advise me on matters related to all the FIA World Championship promoters.' Opening up about her return to the FIA, Shaila-Ann Rao said, '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. 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.' According to the FIA, Rao's appointment comes at a time when the governing body '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.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Also Read: Meanwhile, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem continues to face allegations of lacking transparency in decision-making. Recently, FIA Deputy President Robert Reid resigned along with a powerful statement in which he said, 'I have witnessed steady erosion of principles' as 'decisions are being made behind closed doors.'
Business Wire
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Business Wire
FIA Announces Appointment of Shaila-Ann Rao as Advisor to the FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem
PARIS & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, has today announced that FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has appointed Shaila-Ann Rao as a Presidential Advisor. 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 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 organisational 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 FIA 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 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. 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.' ENDS The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations globally. It is a non-profit organisation committed to driving innovation and championing safety, sustainability and equality across motor sport and mobility. Founded in 1904, with offices in Paris, London and Geneva, the FIA brings together 245 Member Organisations across five continents, representing millions of road users, motor sport professionals and volunteers. It develops and enforces regulations for motor sport, including seven FIA World Championships, to ensure worldwide competitions are safe and fair for all.
Khaleej Times
07-02-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Former champs return as DDF tennis ready to serve up an ace
The 33rd edition of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships will get underway in less than 10 days, welcoming back four former champions to the emirate. Defending titleholder Ugo Humbert will be joined by the winners of the previous three editions in 2023 champion Daniil Medvedev, 2022 winner Andrey Rublev, and 2021 victor Aslan Karatsev. The Championships' on-court action begins on February 16 with the 25th anniversary of Dubai's week-long WTA 1000 tournament, followed by the ATP 500 event starting February 24. Providing a fortnight of world-class competition at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Al Garhoud, the Championships hold much promise. Medvedev, currently ranked No7, is the 2021 US Open champion and the top seed in a packed field. Also in the mix are 2014 US Open champion Marin Čilić and two-time Dubai finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas. Matteo Berrettini, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2021, adds further strength to the draw. This year's women's event is particularly special, marking 25 years of the WTA tournament in Dubai, a major milestone in the region's tennis evolution. Defending champion Jasmine Paolini returns to defend her title but will face stiff competition from a star-studded field that includes nine of the top 10, including World No1 Aryna Sabalenka. With a vast majority of the top 40-ranked players all confirming their participation, even if there are injury-forced withdrawals pre-tournament it promises to be the most competitive draw in the event's history. Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free and Chairman of the tournament's Organising Committee, said: 'Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is well positioned as one of the premier stops on both the WTA and ATP tours. Every year, we witness incredible competition, and Dubai continues to be a destination that players and fans look forward to. This year is no different, and it's always fascinating to see former champions returning to the Championships. We look forward to one of the best editions of the event yet.' Salah Tahlak, Tournament Director and Deputy Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, added: 'Having four champions return to this year's ATP event makes it even more exciting, and we've worked hard to ensure this year's edition lives up to its legacy of more than three decades. With nine of the women's top-10 ranked players confirmed, the WTA line-up speaks for itself. It's going to be an unforgettable couple of weeks.' With just days to go, anticipation is growing rapidly and fans are encouraged to secure their seats as soon as possible, with Grandstand tickets starting from just Dh55. Tickets are available online at and as well as at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium Box Office from 9am to 9pm daily.
