FIA President Max Mosley, who gave a keynote address on the first day of the conference, was particularly pleased that so many senior figures made significant contributions to the Summit. He said: “The Summit certainly succeeded in its mission to provide an arena for debate and discussion on the major issues that affect sports teams, organisers and promoters today.”

The two-day event, which focused on the theme of Risk Management in Sport, also featured a keynote speech from Roland Blanchet, the Directeur de Cabinet for Jean-François Lamour, the French Minister for Sport as well as presentations from Tsutomu Tomita, Chairman and Team Principal of Panasonic Toyota Racing, Alex Wurz, F1 Driver, Williams F1 Team, and Dr Patrick Schamasch, Director of the Medical and Scientific Department at the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Mosley added: “The first FIA Institute Summit was an informative and constructive event. In discussing the themes of risk management, it was clear that many sports face similar concerns but handle them in different ways. The effective management of risk in sport is a subject which is of increasing concern for every organiser, competitor and regulator worldwide and this Summit offered a forum to share world-class knowledge and experience.”

Delegates from the world of motor sport included representatives of the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA), senior representatives of racing and rally teams, manufacturers, promoters, circuit administrators and officials, medical practitioners and motor sport safety equipment manufacturers.

GPDA Director Ralf Schumacher, who attended the Summit, said: “It is essential that we work constructively with the FIA and the FIA Institute to help minimise the risks in our sport. As drivers we have a role to play in progressing research and development in this area and we are only too happy to offer our support to events such as this the first FIA Institute Summit."

They were joined by representatives from Football, Rugby, Skiing, Cycling, American Football and Boxing. The objective was to identify a common strategy for reducing the risks and maximising the benefits of sport through the development of a programme of best practice.

Professor Gérard Saillant, FIA Institute Deputy President, who chaired the event, said that the model has proved itself to be a valuable one which the FIA Institute will look to repeat on an annual basis. He said: “By bringing together senior officials from a number of sports around the globe we can examine common problems and discuss potential solutions. This event is of utmost significance as it will ultimately help organisers, promoters and competitors to minimise the risks and maximise the benefits of their sport.”