Ben Sulayem leads FIA to major financial recovery with best results in almost a decade

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. supplied
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Updated 20 May 2025
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Ben Sulayem leads FIA to major financial recovery with best results in almost a decade

  • Global motorsport organization returns to profit in FY2024, reversing years of deficits

Dubai: The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile has reported its strongest financial performance in almost 10 years, marking a significant turnaround under the presidency of Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

According to figures released this week, the global governing body for motorsport and mobility organisations achieved an operating result of €4.7 million ($5.2 million) for the fiscal year 2024, a dramatic recovery from the €24 million loss recorded in 2021, the year before Ben Sulayem took office.

The turnaround is attributed to a wide-ranging strategic transformation led by the administration. Since taking office, Ben Sulayem has prioritized reforms in financial governance, transparency and operational efficiency across the organization.

“Upon my election as president of the FIA, I committed to ensuring a profitable operation,” said Ben Sulayem. “Today, I am incredibly proud to show that we have achieved this mission, delivering the strongest set of financial results in eight years.”

The FIA reported a total operating income of €182 million for 2024, a 17 percent year-on-year increase, with no outstanding financial debt and an equity ratio of 45 percent, signaling improved financial stability.

Key reforms introduced since 2021 include strengthened procurement controls, the introduction of quarterly internal reporting and a robust financial steering model. These changes have improved budget oversight and allowed the FIA to better allocate resources in line with its strategic objectives across both motorsport and mobility.

The federation also introduced a mid-year general assembly, ensuring more timely financial accountability, and will publish its second consecutive annual activity report ahead of the 2024 general assembly in June. The latest report will include a newly enhanced profit and loss presentation format aimed at increasing transparency.

The improved financial position enables the FIA to reinvest in its core programs, including support for 245 member clubs worldwide and the development of the seven world championships under its governance. It also strengthens the FIA’s ability to deliver on key objectives, including sustainability initiatives and grassroots motorsport development.

A nonprofit organization, the FIA is now well positioned to build on its financial recovery and continue delivering on its broader mandate to promote safe, accessible and sustainable motorsport on a global scale.


Sixth Dakar Rally win for Al-Attiyah as Benavides triumphs on two wheels

Updated 17 January 2026
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Sixth Dakar Rally win for Al-Attiyah as Benavides triumphs on two wheels

  • Al-Attiyah, with Belgian co-driver Fabian Lurquin, had led overnight after taking his 50th career stage win
  • 55-year-old Qatari also won ‌in ⁠2011, ​2015, ‌2019, 2022 and 2023

Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah won ​the Dakar Rally for the sixth time in the car category on Saturday as Argentina’s Luciano Benavides won by two seconds on two wheels, the narrowest margin ever.

Al-Attiyah, with Belgian co-driver Fabian Lurquin, had led overnight after taking his 50th career stage win and made no mistakes as he handed Dacia a first victory at their second attempt in the two-week event ‌held entirely ‌in Saudi Arabia.

The 55-year-old Qatari also won ‌in ⁠2011, ​2015, ‌2019, 2022 and 2023.

Ford’s Nani Roma finished second, nine minutes and 42 seconds behind, and teammate Mattias Ekstrom was third after winning the final stage.

Last year’s winner Yazeed Al-Rajhi of Saudi Arabia withdrew in the opening week after mechanical problems.

Benavides had earlier taken the motorcycle title after American Ricky Brabec lost his way and saw ⁠victory slip through his fingers.

The KTM rider, whose older brother Kevin won the Dakar ‌in 2021 and 2023, came home second ‍in the 105-km stage in ‍Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea port of Yanbu, with Honda’s overnight ‍leader Brabec 10th.

In a grueling endurance event spanning two weeks and 8,000km over rocky roads, through canyons and vast expanses of desert dunes, twice winner Brabec blew his chances with only a few kilometers ​remaining.

Spaniard Tosha Schareina finished third overall for Honda.

“From the start to the finish I never stopped dreaming, I ⁠never stopped believing,” said Benavides, who had trailed Brabec by three minutes and 20 seconds after Friday’s penultimate stage.

“I said to all my people around ‘I don’t know why but I still feel it’s possible, I still believe I can win and it’s going to go my way’.

“In the last three kilometers, Ricky took a wrong piste and I took a good one... I just saw the opportunity and I took it.”

American Skyler Howes was fourth overall for Honda, ahead of Australia’s 2025 champion Daniel Sanders on a ‌KTM.

Sanders crashed on stage 10 but refused to retire and raced on despite a suspected broken collarbone.