Following the announcement yesterday that former F1 driver Alain Prost would be assisting the Steward council in Bahrain as a drivers representative, it has now been confirmed that former champion Damon Hill will do the same for two races this year:
“Damon Hill has agreed to do two events,” Stoker said. “It is likely he’s going to do Monaco and another one, and we’ve got a range of other drivers who positively have said they will come along and help us.”
As I mentioned yesterday, this is a good idea and I am pleased FIA president Jean Todt is delivering on his promise. Driver representation is critical and Todt and his staff have certainly started with an impeccable pool of talent and pedigree in Prost and Hill.
Also in FIA news:
The FIA have officially co-opted nine (9) news International Court of Appeal (ICA) judges this week. The expanded panel of independent judges will allow an even greater range of legal resources than before to be applied by the ICA to resolve Formula One related cases.
The new judges are as follows:
1. The Honourable Sir Laurence Street AC KCMG QC
(Australia)
Sir Laurence was formerly Chief Justice and Lieutenant Governor of New South Wales and has extensive experience as a commercial mediator, conducting over 2500 successful mediations and negotiations, including acting as a Mediator of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Lausanne. He has acted as long-term consultant to and delegate of governmental bodies on dispute resolution issues, has carried out public inquiries and other public assignments and is associated with a number of leading mediation organisations and academic institutions.2. L. Yves Fortier, CC, OQ, QC, LLD
(Canada)
L. Yves Fortier is a leading international arbitrator, serving as Chairman or party appointed arbitrator on both ad-hoc arbitral tribunals and tribunals constituted by major international arbitral institutions. In international affairs, he has served as Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, during which time he served as Canada’s Representative on the Security Council. He is a former President of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and a member of the Court of Arbitration for Sport. He has also served as a member of the ad hoc division of the CAS at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002 and Vancouver in 2010.3. Stefano Dambruoso
(Italy)
Stephano Dambruoso is Head of the Office for the Coordination on International Affairs at the Italian Ministry of Justice, and has served as legal expert at the Permanent Representation of Italy at the United Nations in Vienna. In relation to motor racing, he has served as the Presiding Judge of the National Court of Appeal of the Italian Sporting Commission of the Italian Automobile Association. He is a leading expert on international terrorism, organised crime and corruption, and has extensive experience as a prosecutor in major criminal investigations.4. Prof. Dr. Ulrich G. Haas
(Switzerland)
Prof. Dr. Ulrich G. Haas is a leading lawyer, arbitrator and academic in the field of sports law. He has served as Chairman or party-appointed arbitrator on both ad-hoc arbitral tribunals and tribunals constituted by major international sports law arbitral institutions, including serving as arbitrator for the ad hoc Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. He has extensive experience as a trial lawyer and consultant, in particular in advising national and international sports institutions on their internal regulations.5. Prof. Dr. Gabrielle Kaufmann-Kohler
(Switzerland)
Prof. Dr. Gabrielle Kaufmann-Kohler is a leading international arbitrator and academic. Her experience includes serving as arbitrator and counsel on major international sports arbitral tribunals including chairing the ad hoc Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport at the Olympic Games. She has also advised international sports institutions on sports disputes and regulations, including advising on the Code of Sports-related Arbitration, the Arbitration Rules for the Olympic Games, the World Anti-Doping Code and the arbitral tribunal for the FIFA World Cup 2002.6. Dr. Antonio Rigozzi
(Switzerland)
Dr. Antonio Rigozzi is a highly experienced arbitrator, advocate and advisor in the field of sports arbitration. He has acted as arbitrator or President of the arbitral tribunal in national and international sports arbitrations (both ad hoc and under major arbitral institutions), has represented and advised athletes, clubs and national sports governing bodies in cases before the Court of Arbitration for Sport and in various jurisdictions, and has advised national and international federations on dispute resolution issues and mechanisms.7. Sir Philip Otton
(United Kingdom)
Sir Philip Otton is a former Judge of the English Court of Appeal. He has extensive and wide-ranging experience as an international arbitrator and mediator. In the field of sports law, he has served as an arbitrator in disputes involving English Football Premier League players and clubs, chaired Football Association disciplinary proceedings, and has served as Sole Mediator in disputes relating to Formula 1 Racing companies and the 2007 America’s Cup.8. V. V. Veeder QC
(United Kingdom)
V. V. Veeder QC has extensive experience as an arbitrator and advocate in international commercial arbitration and as an advocate in disputes before national courts, specialising in commercial law (including sports law) and international trade. In the field of sports law, he has worked as a member of the Contract Recognition Board for Formula 1 and as a member of the Arbitration Tribunal for Football World Cup Division for the FIFA World Cup 2002. He has also acted as advisor to and delegate of governmental bodies in the field of international arbitration.9. James H. Walsh
(United States of America)
James H. Walsh is an advocate with extensive experience in commercial civil litigation and criminal litigation, arbitration and mediation. In particular, he has advised clients in the auto racing industry, representing drivers, owners and sponsors associated with NASCAR’s NEXTEL Cup series. In so doing he has dealt with nearly every aspect of the sport including advising on contract matters, sponsorship, team management and employment, television rights, research and development and technology sharing, licensing and endorsement, and litigation.
For a full list of the members, look here.
