Rao returns to FIA as advisor to Ben Sulayem

Shaila-Ann Rao has retuned to the FIA as presidential advisor to Mohammed Ben Sulayem, motorsport’s governing body has announced.

Rao was previously a lawyer for the Mercedes team and special advisor to its CEO and team principal Toto Wolff, having been FIA legal director prior to that. Upon her departure from Mercedes, she became interim secretary general for motorsport at the FIA and was involved in the 2022 cost cap investigation into Red Bull but left the governing body again at the end of that year.

That stint was described as helping navigate the transitional spell as Ben Sulayem took over from former president Jean Todt at the start of 2022, but Rao will now return in a permanent position to advise Ben Sulayem on regulatory and commercial matters related to the seven FIA world championships.

“I am looking forward to advising the FIA president across the FIA world championships and building on the significant progress that has already been made during his presidential term strengthening the championships’ regulatory and commercial frameworks,” Rao said. “The FIA holds a unique place in global sport, and I am excited to support the FIA at this time and to help the FIA president deliver an even stronger future for motor sport.”

Ben Sulayem has seen a number of key personnel leave the FIA during his tenure, but Rao is the second announcement of a new appointment following the nomination of Malcolm Wilson to become deputy president for sport as the president rebuilds the team around him.

“I am delighted to welcome back Shaila-Ann Rao to the FIA,” Ben Sulayem said. “She has an exceptional record in global motor sport and will be a great asset to me and my team as we continue to improve the regulatory and commercial frameworks across all the FIA world championships benefiting our drivers, teams and FIA Member Clubs. She will also advise me on matters related to all the FIA world championship promoters.”