Is the FIA Actually the Good Guy?

Most of us think of Formula One as just lightning-fast cars and daring drivers. But behind the scenes, the real game is being played by fire-breathing bodies called the FIA and Liberty Media. And trust me, it’s messier than you’d imagine—think politics, profits, paddock drama, and the kind of rulemaking that could make Congress blush.

In this episode, Soumil and Kunal peel back the curtain on how F1’s governing chaos actually shapes your favorite races. From secret negotiations with teams to the tricky job of balancing safety, speed, and spectacle—the FIA isn’t just the sport’s nanny; they’re the glue holding everything together (mostly). They explain why F1 is in flux, how the sport’s technology is evolving faster than your favorite driver changing helmets, and what really needs fixing before F1 hits another record-breaking season.

You’ll discover:

– Why the FIA is more than just a “police force,” running programs from rally to road safety, even advising the UN
– The real reason F1 cars are now safer, but sometimes less thrilling
– How the sport’s stakeholders—manufacturers, teams, drivers—play politics to shape the future
– What a 2026 racing world might look like—more raceable, more exciting, or just more complicated?
– And why the FIA’s secret weapon might be better marketing than you’d think

If you’re a F1 fanatic craving a behind-the-scenes scoop, or a casual fan wondering what the heck is going on in the paddock, this episode is your pit-stop for clarity and chaos. We’re talking about the big-picture struggles and what they mean for your weekends at the track.

With insights from insiders and a dash of humor, Soumil and Kunal give you the blueprint for understanding how the sport runs behind the roaring engines. Because if F1’s a drama, the FIA is the unsung hero trying to keep the whole circus from collapsing—most of the time, at least.

Buckle up—it’s more than just racing. It’s politics, progress, and a whole lot of speed bumps on the road to racing’s future.

Chapters:
00:00 – 00:32 – Why the sport’s on pause and what it reveals about the FIA
00:32 – 01:15 – Who really owns F1: The FIA, Liberty Media, or both?
01:15 – 01:46 -How profit and sport collide in the F1 universe
01:46 – 02:16 – Why understanding the real problem is step one for fixing F1
02:16 – 02:46 – The FIA’s role in making F1 safer and more standardized
02:46 – 03:10 – The regulation evolution: From chaos to discipline
03:10 – 03:36 – Could Formula 1 be the sport with the most say from teams? Spoiler: Definitely.
03:36 – 04:05 -The wild analogy with sailing and team involvement
04:05 – 04:35 – How FIA must collaborate with teams for meaningful change
04:35 – 05:03 – Why fans like the current racing but drivers are complaining
05:03 – 05:15 – The clever politics of Max Verstappen and future rule changes
05:15 – 05:43 – Stakeholders, teams, and the FIA’s balancing act
05:43 – 06:14 – The FIA’s recent rule changes aiming for safety, spectacle, and budget caps
06:14 – 06:30 – The challenge of recent FIA leadership and the “invincible” former president
06:30 – 06:53 – Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s journey & the FIA’s global role
06:53 – 07:23 – The FIA president’s podium moments, medals, and public perception
07:23 – 08:22 – Why FIA’s safety work deserves more hype
08:22 – 08:48 – The importance of predictability and rule enforcement in F1
08:48 – 09:00 -Track limits and safety: FIA’s smart approach
09:00 – 09:35 – Would you want fastest cars or most entertaining ones? The FIA’s dilemma
09:35 – 10:04 -How manufacturers could bring back V10s and pure racing
10:04 – 10:53 – The future of raceability versus speed
10:53 – 11:07 – The perfect compromise: a balanced, fun, and competitive F1
11:07 -11:42 – The FIA as the “motorsport glue”—more than just F1
11:42 – 12:12 -The FIA’s larger, global mandate: rally, endurance, safety, and beyond
12:12 – 13:06 – Funding, transparency, and the true mission of the FIA
13:06 – 13:38 – How the FIA invests in education, safety, and governing motorsport worldwide
13:38 – 14:00 – The FIA’s role as a protector and promoter of motorsport, not just a referee
14:00 – 15:06 – The good, the bad, and the improving image of the FIA

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► Kunal Shah: https://www.twitter.com/kunalashah

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