Argomenti trattati
The FIA World Motor Sport Council convened on 26 March 2026 via video conference, with some members present at the FIA’s London office, for the first meeting under the Council’s new composition following the re‑election of FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem at the 2026 FIA General Assemblies in Tashkent. The session opened with a formal welcome for incoming and returning representatives: Abdulrahman Al Mannai (Qatar), Fernand Axel Fourgon (Monaco), Andrew Fraser (Australia), Pierre Gosselin (France), Antonino Geronimo La Russa (Italy), Kevin Miller (USA) and the return of Koichi Murata (Japan).
Council members reviewed the strong starts to global series, including the opening rounds of the FIA Formula One World Championship, the FIA World Rally Championship and the FIA World Rally‑Raid Championship, alongside the ongoing twelfth season of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. New events and championships scheduled for 2026 were highlighted: the recent Formula E Madrid e‑Prix, the inaugural Formula 1 Gran Premio de España in Madrid, the first FIA Rallycross World Cup in Indonesia and the launch of continental FIA Karting Arrive and Drive championships in Europe, South America and Asia‑Pacific.
Governance, promoter processes and calendar shifts
The Council received an update from Malcolm Wilson OBE, FIA Deputy President for Sport, who outlined progress in the tender to appoint a new promoter for the FIA World Rally Championship. The process is advancing with a priority on selecting a partner that offers a durable long‑term vision to support the Championship’s growth. Members were also informed about calendar revisions: the Qatar 1812km race in the FIA World Endurance Championship has been moved to October, becoming the penultimate round, and the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour will now open at Italy’s Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. The Council ratified a suite of 2026 sporting calendars during the meeting.
FIA Safety Week and upcoming events
Council delegates reflected on the success of the fourth edition of FIA Safety Week, supported by the FIA Foundation. The virtual programme delivered fifteen sessions and attracted more than 4,000 participants from 122 FIA Member Clubs (ASNs), drawing on input from over 50 expert speakers across topics such as closed‑road safety, circuit protocols, medical research and rescue operations. Early planning for a fifth edition in early 2027 was also discussed to build on the collaboration and shared learning demonstrated this year.
Karting Arrive and Drive: streamlined structure and accessibility measures
The Council approved a revised format for the 2026 FIA Karting Arrive and Drive championships to broaden access and lower participation commitment. The South American Arrive and Drive Championship will be a single‑round event in Brazil at the Kartódromo Internacional de Imperatriz on 2‑4 October 2026, subject to circuit homologation. The European series has been reduced from three rounds to a single meeting at the Autodrom Słomczyn in Poland on 17‑19 July, after consultation with competitors and ASNs concluded this format would increase reach while easing logistical demands for entrants.
Payment flexibility and leadership view
To reflect the Asia‑Pacific championship’s three‑round structure, the Council approved an option for competitors to pay the Arrive and Drive entry fee in three instalments. Akbar Ebrahim, President of the FIA Karting Commission, underlined that Arrive and Drive is intended as an inclusive entry point to the motorsport ladder and said the updated calendar and payment flexibility will strengthen opportunities for young drivers worldwide.
Safety devices, medical protocols and equipment changes
The World Council authorised the use of a new fibreglass high seat in karting for competitors with disabilities, aligned to the FIA Karting Guidelines for Drivers with Disabilities. The device, fitted with a roll hoop, provides additional attachment points to support torso stability where drivers require reinforced belt anchorage. Development was led by Fabio Visentin, a member of the FIA Disability & Accessibility Commission, working with manufacturer Vita Carbon and the FIA Safety Department; the item has been officially homologated by the FIA and will be optional for eligible drivers.
Medical extraction and protective system implications
In single‑seater categories the Council agreed to withdraw the long‑used removable extractable seat technique for driver removal. Changes in pre‑hospital care practice, along with protective systems such as the HANS device and the forward‑facing HALO, have made the old method less appropriate. The Council approved the deployment of the Boa, Short Board and Rapid extrication methods instead, and updated the required equipment lists for medical and rescue teams to reflect modern pre‑hospital priorities and faster, safer extraction options.
Sporting conduct, eyewear rules and recent paddock issues
Amendments to eyewear rules were ratified: during competition, drivers and co‑drivers may use only FIA‑homologated accessories attached directly to the helmet for vision correction or glare protection; tech‑enabled eyewear remains prohibited. Separately, the FIA is engaging with stakeholders after a formal letter from the full roster of current Formula E drivers raised concerns about stewarding consistency and race direction; drivers have requested measures including an independent review, the appointment of experienced driver advisors and clearer championship‑specific stewarding guidance. An FIA spokesperson said the organisation is reviewing the comments and remains in dialogue with manufacturers, teams and drivers.
On broader motorsport conduct, national series enforcement continues to evolve: disciplinary actions and the emphasis on education were referenced as part of ongoing efforts to uphold professionalism across disciplines. Finally, members noted the next World Motor Sport Council meetings: 23 June 2026 in Macau within the 2026 FIA Conference, a virtual meeting on 15 October 2026, and 10 December 2026 in Shanghai within the framework of the 2026 FIA General Assemblies.