FIA to open third annual Sport Conference in Mexico City

07.07.15
The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile will open its 2015 Sport Conference this Wednesday in Mexico City.
2015 Sport Conference preview press conference

The third of its type, the event will also mark the first time that the conference has been held outside of Europe; the first two editions having been held in Goodwood and Munich respectively.

Over 200 delegates from almost 100 FIA National Sporting Authorities (ASNs) around the world have converged on Mexico City to participate in the three day conference.

The aim for the event is to provide an environment that will see delegates return to their ASNs invigorated and brimming with ideas and knowledge that will assist them in achieving best practice in their own motor sport endeavours.

This year’s theme, ‘Towards new frontiers: Make it fast, make it safe, make it for the fans!’ speaks to the ambition that the FIA hopes is inherent in all motor sport organisations.

Importantly, it refers to the current and future challenges facing motor sport; the rapid development of technology, media channels, and ways that all stakeholders engage with motor sport.

The conference will see influential motor sport identities speak to the topics included in the theme.

Some of the guest speakers will include Juan Pablo Montoya (2015 Indy 500 Champion), Gene Haas (Haas F1), Mark Miles (IndyCar), Gerard Neveu (FIA World Endurance Championship), Alejandro Agag (Formula-e), Emerson Fittipaldi (two-time F1 World Champion), Monisha Kaltenborn (Sauber F1) and Charlie Whiting (FIA F1 Race Director).

Jean Todt, FIA President, says the conference theme was selected as a mantra for motor sport moving forward.

“We have three simple directives that the FIA believes will go a long way to ensuring the success of motor sport into the future,” said Mr Todt.

“What better way to demonstrate the ‘new frontiers’ of motor sport than by visiting a country that has such a rapidly expanding motor sport community, and a city that is the most recent addition to the FIA Formula One World Championship.

“It is perhaps ironic that this will occur at a venue that is representative of the traditions of the country’s great history in motor sport yet, with the influence of the FIA, has been modernised for today’s Grands Prix.

“I must commend the work that has been done in revitalising the famous Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit for the first Mexican Grand Prix in 23 years.

“Mexico now features events on the calendars of the FIA’s two longest-standing World Championships; Formula One and the WRC.

“I am always impressed with the work of Mr Jose Abed, the President of our Mexican ASN, OMDAI, and his team in developing motor sport in this country and organising these major events.

“Mr Abed and his team have, in conjunction with the FIA, put together a fantastic programme for the Sport Conference, and we look forward to welcoming the FIA family to Mexico City with them.”

The FIA MotorEx Mexico will be held in conjunction with the Sport Conference; a public exhibition at Centro Banamex that will allow locals the opportunity to get up close to classic and modern cars for both road and racing.

The conference will conclude with the World Motor Sport Council on 9-10 July.

The FIA Sport Conference follows on from the FIA’s American Congress, which has drawn delegates from the FIA’s Sport and Mobility Clubs across North and South America – the Congress runs over Monday and Tuesday this week.

Stay tuned to fia.com for updates from Mexico City.