FIA

The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile, more commonly referred to as the FIA, is the governing body of world motorsport and is also dedicated to representing the interests of motoring organisations and motorists around the globe.

A non-profit making organisation based in Paris, the FIA is made up of more than 200 national motoring organisations from over 100 nations spread all over the world with Max Mosley currently holding the position of president – a role he has held since 1991.

The FIA helped to organise the first Formula One World Championship in 1950, with the FIA World Rally Championship following in 1973 (albeit only for manufacturers initially), and FIA World Touring Car Championship in 1987. The WTCC was a one-off series at first before being revived in 2005.

F1, the WRC and the WTCC are currently the major World Championships on four wheels, although there is a range of other series' – such as the FIA GT Championship – to carry the FIA name. There will be a GT World Championship from 2010.

The FIA World Council for Automobile Mobility and Tourism deals with the FIA's non-sporting activities, while the FIA World Motor Sport Council governs all sporting events under the regulation of the FIA.

The FIA also has its own Court of Appeal, which acts as the final appeal tribunal for international motorsport and can resolve disputes brought by national authorities around the globe.