An FIA-organised training programme for South American motor sport officials was held in São Paulo, Brazil last month, aimed at enhancing and standardising officiating across South America. The initiative, proposed by Fabiana Ecclestone, FIA Vice-President for Sport (South America), brought together 35 participants from six countries in the region.

The programme forms part the FIA’s broader mission to develop and strengthen motor sport officiating and governance across global regions with each programme structured into three progressive phases, beginning with online theoretical modules on the FIA University platform including webinars dedicated to the roles of race directors, stewards, and other circuit officials. The in-person stage during the weekend was delivered by experienced FIA officials, covering real-life case studies and operational routines of motor sport events.

Fabiana Ecclestone, FIA Vice President for Sport (South America) said: "The feedback from participants was extremely positive. Our goal in bringing FIA officials directly to South America was to create a supportive and comprehensive opportunity for local officials from our Member Clubs to deepen their knowledge of international guidelines without the need for long-distance travel. Strengthening South American motor sport inevitably relies on the training and development of our technical personnel. It was a weekend of hard work and great collaboration made possible by the support of the CBA and Vicar, the promoter of Stock Car"

The programme concluded with a hands-on experience at the Velocitta Circuit in Mogi Guaçu, São Paulo, where participants observed operations during the sixth round of the Stock Car Pro Series. Throughout the track activities, the group was welcomed by professionals from the CBA (Brazilian Automobile Confederation) and followed the work of race control, stewards, and marshals across various areas, including the support series sharing the weekend schedule, such as TCR South America, TCR Brazil, Stock Light, and Brazilian Formula 4.

Lincoln Oliveira, CEO of Grupo Veloci, the Stock Car organiser, said: "Hosting an FIA programme with professionals from various parts of the world demonstrates that Stock Car is also recognised for the management structure it has built, alongside its long-admired competitiveness abroad. The opportunity to share our experience contributes to the growth of motor sport in Latin America and reinforces the ongoing progress achieved over recent years"

At the conclusion of the training, all participants who completed the theoretical and practical phases received official certificates of participation issued by the FIA. The list of attendees included representatives from Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela.