Rao Makes Surprise Fia Return As Ben Sulayem Advisor

Former elder executive Shaila-Ann Rao has made a astonishment return to Formula 1's governing assemblage nan FIA conscionable complete 2 years aft leaving.

Rao, who successful 2022 left her position arsenic interim caput wide aft conscionable six months successful nan role, has been appointed advisor to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Rao is simply a lawyer who earlier joining nan FIA nan first clip astir had been wide counsel to nan Mercedes Formula 1 squad and typical advisor to their leader Toto Wolff.

Rao returns to nan FIA arsenic Ben Sulayem prepares to tally for a 2nd word successful December's FIA statesmanlike election.

The Emirati contacted Rao himself astir returning to nan organisation.

Rao's re-appointment besides comes successful nan aftermath of a bid of controversies affecting Ben Sulayem complete nan 3 years of his presidency.

The astir caller of these was nan resignation of lawman president for athletics Robert Reid this month, expressing concerns complete nan guidance of nan governance astatine nan FIA nether Ben Sulayem's leadership.

On nan aforesaid day, nan erstwhile main executive serviceman Natalie Robyn collapsed nan soundlessness she had kept since she being asked to time off nan organisation past summertime aft conscionable 18 months successful her role.

Robyn, too, expressed concerns astir Ben Sulayem's leadership successful remarks to BBC Sport.

Rao will commencement activity connected 1 May. Her domiciled will beryllium arsenic a advisor and she will supply "advice to nan FIA president connected a scope of issues including regulatory and commercialized matters related to nan 7 FIA World Championships," an FIA connection said.

In nan statement, Ben Sulayem said: "Shaila-Ann Rao has an exceptional grounds successful world motorsport and will beryllium a awesome plus to maine and my squad arsenic we proceed to amended nan regulatory and commercialized frameworks crossed each nan FIA World Championships, benefiting our drivers, teams and FIA personnel clubs.

"She will besides counsel maine connected matters related to each nan FIA World Championship promoters."

Rao said: "I americium looking guardant to advising nan FIA president crossed nan FIA World Championships and building connected nan important advancement that has already been made during his statesmanlike word strengthening nan Championships' regulatory and commercialized frameworks.

"The FIA holds a unsocial spot successful world sport, and I americium excited to support nan FIA astatine this clip and to thief nan FIA president present an moreover stronger early for centrifugal sport."

BBC Sport has requested further mentation for nan circumstances surrounding Rao's recruitment but nan FIA has not yet responded.

Rao was unavailable for comment.