During the FIA General Assemblies meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem named the three winners of the 2024 FIA President’s Awards.
The Automóvil Club del Ecuador (ANETA) was awarded for its contribution to Road Safety, Saudia Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) for its commitment to Climate Action, and the Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI) for its efforts in promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
Australian Automobile Association (AAA), Federação Portuguesa De Automobilismo e Karting, and Confederação Brasileira de Automobilismo also received special mentions for Road Safety, Climate Action, and Equality Diversity and Inclusion respectively.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who first launched the programme in 2022, said: “These projects are a testament to the extraordinary culture of innovation in our organisation. I am proud to lead a Federation which is so dedicated to creating a more safe, sustainable, and inclusive future for the planet.”
ANETA’s winning Road Safety project “UNIDAD VIAL DE EDUCACIÓN, SEGURIDAD VIAL Y MOVILIDAD SOSTENIBLE” is a mobile classroom, which provides road safety and sustainability training for 6-16 year olds. In 2023 alone, the Club trained nearly 26,000 students through the programme.
ANETA Gerente General Gorki Gobando said: “The FIA President’s Award has deep meaning for ANETA. On the one hand, it recognises an educational action disseminated to children and young people in Ecuador free of charge, and on the other hand, the award commits us to continue with this type of education, road safety and sustainable mobility actions, to create a Road Culture in the country. Working for the benefit of the Ecuadorian community is a fundamental principle for ANETA, and this recognition makes us proud and motivated to continue in this noble mission.”
SAMF’s successful Climate Action project “SAMF & Saudi F1 Sustainability” aims to drive more sustainable outcomes during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. The Club works with the track to implement sustainable practices and drive awareness about the importance of making environmentally friendly choices.
SAMF President HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal said: “We are delighted to receive the FIA President’s Climate Action Award, in recognition of our project, SAMF & Saudi F1 Sustainability. This innovative project has allowed us to promote sustainability at one of the country’s biggest mega-events, ultimately helping us to tackle the urgent issue of climate change. We look forward to developing this even further, after receiving the award.”
Meanwhile, Automobile Club d’Italia’s EDI project “Motorsport for People: INCLUSION-E” is a state-of-the-art simulator, incorporating ergonomic and cutting-edge technologies to reduce barriers to motorsport. The simulator has been promoted at inclusive events across Italy and alongside national associations for people with disabilities.
ACI President Angelo Sticchi Damiani said: “We are proud to be recognised in this year’s President’s Awards. Our INCLUSION-E project focuses on breaking down barriers standing in the way of motorsport driver participation in society. By ensuring the Simracing discipline’s outreach in an inclusive way for people with disabilities and scaling zero-barriers technologies for motorsport practice, access to new opportunities and careers will improve.
“This award will support our Federation’s commitment to make motorsport more accessible by actively encouraging and fostering the shaping of new sustainable, diverse, and inclusive pathways.”
The winning Clubs were recognised at the meeting of the FIA General Assemblies. (End)