Mohammed Ben Sulayem removes Britain's FIA Senate representative

Cussons told BBC Sport: "I received correspondence from the president saying he was appointing my successor. He gave no reason why, and there was no timeline as to when this would happen." He said his removal had taken him by surprise, pointing out he and David Richards - the head of British motorsport's governing body, MotorsportUK - had been "staunch supporters of Mohammed in his election year and his then manifesto". "As far as I am aware, I haven't fallen out with him," he added. "I have written to him for clarification and I haven't had a reply. I'm a great believer in transparency and good governance." Cussons is in dispute with Ben Sulayem over his pushback on a requirement to sign a stricter non-disclosure agreement regarding FIA business. He says he is "awaiting a reply from the FIA" having made his position clear. His removal comes just weeks after a change to the rules governing the body's composition at the FIA general assembly. They gave the FIA president power to appoint or dismiss the required four "independent and qualified" members of the senate.