Shaila-Ann Rao has been reorganized into the FIA as presidential adviser to Mohammed Ben Slayem, announced by the governing body of motorsports.
Rao was previously a lawyer for the Mercedes Team, a special advisor to CEO and team principal Totowolf, and previously was the FIA legal director. When she left Mercedes, she became the interim executive director of FIA Motorsports and was involved in the 2022 Red Bull cost cap investigation, but left the governing body again at the end of the year.
That stint was said to help him navigate the transition spell as Ben Sulaim took over from former President Jean Todd in early 2022, but Rao returns to his permanent position to advise Ben Sulaim on regulatory and commercial issues related to the Seven FIA World Championships.
“We look forward to advising the FIA presidents throughout the FIA World Championships and building on the significant advances already made during the presidential term while strengthening the championship’s regulatory and commercial framework,” Rao said. “FIA holds a unique place in global sports and is excited to support the FIA at this point and to help the FIA president provide an even stronger future for motorsport.”
Ben Slayem has seen many key personnel leave the FIA during his tenure, but Rao was the second announcement of his new appointment after Malcolm Wilson’s appointment, becoming the vice president of sports as the president rebuilds the teams around him.
“We’re happy to be able to bring Shaila-Ann Rao back to the FIA,” Ben Sulayem said. “She has an exceptional record in Global Motorsports and is an incredible asset for me and my team as she continues to improve the regulatory and commercial framework of all FIA World Championships that benefit drivers, teams and FIA member clubs.