Former senior government Shaila-Ann Rao has made a shock return to System 1’s governing physique the FIA simply over two years after leaving.
Rao, who in 2022 within the position, has been appointed adviser to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Commercial
Rao is a lawyer who earlier than becoming a member of the FIA the primary time round had been normal counsel to the Mercedes System 1 staff and particular adviser to their boss Toto Wolff.
Rao returns to the FIA as Ben Sulayem prepares to run for a second time period in December’s FIA presidential election.
The Emirati contacted Rao himself about returning to the organisation.
Rao’s re-appointment additionally comes within the wake of a sequence of controversies affecting Ben Sulayem over the three years of his presidency.
The latest of those was the this month, expressing issues over the route of the governance on the FIA beneath Ben Sulayem’s management.
Commercial
On the identical day, the previous chief government officer Natalie Robyn broke the silence she had saved since she being requested to depart the organisation final summer season after simply 18 months in her position.
Robyn, too, expressed in remarks to BBC Sport.
Rao will begin work on 1 Might. Her position can be as a marketing consultant and she is going to present “recommendation to the FIA president on a spread of points together with regulatory and business issues associated to the seven FIA World Championships,” an FIA assertion stated.
Within the assertion, Ben Sulayem stated: “Shaila-Ann Rao has an distinctive report in international motorsport and can be an important asset to me and my staff as we proceed to enhance the regulatory and business frameworks throughout all of the FIA World Championships, benefiting our drivers, groups and FIA member golf equipment.
Commercial
“She may even advise me on issues associated to all of the FIA World Championship promoters.”
Rao stated: “I’m trying ahead to advising the FIA president throughout the FIA World Championships and constructing on the numerous progress that has already been made throughout his presidential time period strengthening the Championships’ regulatory and business frameworks.
“The FIA holds a singular place in international sport, and I’m excited to help the FIA at the moment and to assist the FIA president ship an excellent stronger future for motor sport.”
BBC Sport has requested additional clarification for the circumstances surrounding Rao’s recruitment however the FIA has not but responded.
Rao was unavailable for remark.
