The FIA is generally known by its French name or initials, even in non-French-speaking countries, but is occasionally rendered as International Automobile Federation.

The FIA along with the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) also certify land speed record attempts.

In 1922, the AIACR established the Commission Sportive Internationale (CSI), which would oversee international motorsport matters, such as setting the regulations for Grand Prix motor racing.

[8] In 1978, Jean-Marie Balestre begun his presidency of the CSI, and it was renamed to Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile (FISA), with the intention of creating a governing body for automobile motor sport with some autonomy from the rest of the FIA, which retained control of the karting commission, CIK.

[13] The General Assembly is the Federation's supreme governing body, consisting of representatives from each of the FIA's member associations.

The General Assembly has responsibility for amending the FIA's statutes and regulations, approving the annual budget and reports, deciding upon the membership, and electing the officers and members to the Federation's governing bodies.

The head of the FIA and chairman of the General Assembly is the President, a position currently held by Mohammed bin Sulayem.

[16] The President coordinates the activities of the Federation and proposes resolutions to the various commissions and committees and also acts as the representative of the FIA to external organisations.

[19] Sport and Mobility each have a Secretary General to head the administrative staff who function as intermediaries for the councils, commissions and committees.

A Chief Administration Officer also heads areas supporting the Senate such as commercial, legal, marketing, events and financial.

[22] The World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) has the decision-making responsibility for all motorsport the FIA governs and sanctions.

It convenes at least three times a year to decide on rules and regulations proposed to it by the commissions and committees that have direct responsibility of the various disciplines and championships.

[25] Individual Russia and Belarus competitors were allowed to enter races as neutrals, without their national symbols, flags, colours and anthems.

With the Amaury Sport Organization (ASO) acting as promotor and organiser; the separate cross-country rallying series sanctioned by the FIA and FIM were dissolved and merged into the new World Championship.

Key: Constructor/manufacturer = The person or corporate entity that owns the intellectual rights to the chassis and the engine of the car that a team/entrant enters into a competition.

In 1913, the AIACR created the Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD), allowing motorists to cross international borders into signatory territories for temporary periods without customs tariffs, duties or taxes payable on their personal vehicles.

The CPD works like an insurance product, customs are guaranteed to be paid by the issuer if the vehicle does not leave the country within the specified time.

Under the terms of the United Nations Customs Convention, only the FIA and the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme (AIT) may authorise carnet issuers.

[36][37] Chaired by Formula One medical chief Professor Sid Watkins, the committee worked with the Motor Industry Research Association to strengthen the crash resistance of cars and the restraint systems and to improve drivers' personal safety.

This led to a number of changes at motor racing circuits around the world, and the improvement of crash barriers and trackside medical procedures.

Meanwhile, the organisers of the individual races (for example local or national clubs) were responsible for accepting entries, paying prize money, and the general running of each event.

[41] This led to the FIA President Prince Metternich attempting to reassert its authority by appointing Jean-Marie Balestre as the head of the CSI in 1978, who promptly reformed the committee into the autonomous Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile (FISA).

The agreement led to FOCA acquiring commercial rights over Formula One, while FISA and the FIA would have control over sport's regulations.

[42] During the 2000s, the FIA and its president became increasingly embroiled in controversy over Formula One, while facing threats from teams to establish a breakaway series.

[43] A new Concorde Agreement eventually ended the threat, but the breakaway series would resurface during each dispute between the FIA, teams and the Formula One Group.

The debate began over the introduction of a budget cap and escalated until the eve of the 2009 British Grand Prix with the FOTA teams announcing their intention to form their own rival breakaway series.

[50] This meant organisers were forced into having their championships promoted by the same company that managed the affairs of other motorsport events, a potential conflict of interest.

[54] This was to prevent a conflict of interest between the FIA's regulatory role and any commercial advantages it may gain from the success of certain championships.

[54] Ecclestone had sold the ISC company, which now only controlled the rights to rallying,[55] and would stand down from his role as an FIA Vice-President.

[56] In 2008, accusations surfaced in the British media that FIA president Max Mosley was involved in scandalous sexual behaviour.