Filenews 29 September 2025 - by Angelos Nikolaou
The future of Cypriot motorsport is at a critical crossroads, after the latest developments that left Cypriot drivers literally in the "air". The International Automobile Federation (FIA) cancelled the racing licenses of Cypriot drivers and characterized all races in Cyprus as "unrecognized", causing a huge blow to the field.
The situation that has developed is attributed to the ever-escalating rift between the Cyprus Automobile Association (CAA), the FIA's representative in Cyprus, and the Cyprus Automobile Federation, which is included in the register of the Cyprus Sports Organization (CSO).
According to information, the FIA is already in contact with the Cyprus Automobile Federation and an official meeting between the two sides is imminent, in an effort to find a solution and restore stability on the island. This initiative comes in the wake of the FIA's decisions that put Cypriot drivers off the racing map and led to the cancellation of this year's Cyprus Rally, which was part of the Middle East Rally Championship (FIA MERC).
The FIA's decision, communicated on September 25, 2025, includes: The designation of all races in Cyprus as Unrecognized Competitions. The cancellation of racing licenses issued to Cypriot drivers by the CAA. The cessation of the possibility of issuing new racing licenses. The ban on the participation of Cypriot drivers in FIA international events, as events in Cyprus are no longer recognized by the Federation. In an official announcement to its 245 national member authorities (ASNs), the FIA has notified the ban on the participation of racing license holders from these countries in motor races held in Cyprus.
The FIA's decision creates a huge problem for dozens of athletes, who are left without competitive coverage and cannot participate in international events. The entire motorsport of Cyprus is in danger of being marginalized, while the loss of international presence also brings repercussions on the country's prestige in terms of sports, tourism and cultural promotion.
The interest now turns to the FIA's meeting with the Cyprus Automobile Federation, with the aim of finding a solution that will bring Cyprus back on the international racing map. The CSO, in an unofficial statement, emphasizes that multiple attempts have been made to find a solution, while it is possible that there will be new initiatives to the FIA in the coming days.
The position of the Cyprus Automobile Association
The Cyprus Automobile Association, in a statement, expresses its strong disappointment with the development, attributing the responsibility to a political decision of the Cypriot Government and the CSO, which removed his athletic status and deleted him from the register. The CAA maintains that it remains the only official representative of the FIA in Cyprus and considers the FIA's decision as a natural consequence of the government's actions. In fact, it calls on the state to immediately take initiatives to restore the relationship with the FIA and restore international legality.
Harsh response from the Cyprus Automobile Federation
For its part, the Cyprus Automobile Federation (a member of the CSO), responds with harsh language, accusing the CAA of the complete dismantling of its organizational and administrative structure, financial collapse and the abandonment of athletes.
In a statement, it is emphasized that the CAA cannot blame third parties for the situation in which it has fallen, pointing out that it has lost the trust of the state, athletes and institutions. The Federation speaks of "false and blackmailing announcements" of the CAA and calls on the persons who manage it to withdraw from the sport for the good of motorsport.
