'FIA president again under fire over sexism and bullying'

Earlier this year, the FIA president was also under pressure over sexist comments he had made about women. Among other things, he said that "women could not be smarter than men".

New allegations

Telegraph Sport now reports that a long-time FIA employee, Shaila-Ann Rao, had sent a high-profile letter to the organisation just before her abrupt departure in December last year. In the letter, the former interim secretary-general claimed that there had been several instances where sexist behaviour was displayed. These allegations were then never investigated further, according to the British newspaper, which is a concern for employees within the FIA.

The medium spoke to dozens of former and current FIA employees. They too point out that intimidating behaviour was displayed behind the scenes. Rao declined to comment, but several sources reportedly confirmed Rao's letter.

When FIA was confronted with story, the governing body denied that Rao's departure was related to what happened: "Shaila-Ann Rao was a temporary director at the FIA from June 1, 2022, and then became interim secretary general for motorsport. In Nov 2022 it was decided by both parties that she would leave that position. Mutual privacy terms have been agreed as is commonplace in business. Neither party has made a reference to the FIA Ethics Committee."