The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, (FIA) was established in 1904 to represent the interests of motoring organisations and car users. However, its most prominent role is in the licencing and arbitration of Formula 1.

The FIA is important and powerful in the sport and its decisions relating to F1 are much debated. In recent years FIA President Max Mosley (retired 2009) was subject of much criticism for his personal conduct and vision for the future of F1.  
 
The FIA is a non-profit association, headquartered in Paris, France with 213 national member organisations from 125 countries. Jean Todt was elected President in 2009, and is not only faced with the normal activities expected of the President but also improving the relationship with the F1 teams after the turbulent Mosley years.

In 2009 the newly formed Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) issued a threat to pull out of F1 and start a rival series. Much of the dissent was focused Max Mosley and his style of leadership of the FIA, and Mosley's concept of capping the spending of F1 teams. A settlement was reached that involved Mosley stepping down as President of the FIA, and certainly his departure has eased the tension with the teams. However, the episode illustrated that the teams want a greater say in the running of F1, and that the power of the FIA to impose change on F1 is limited.