FIA Mourns Influential Former Secretary General Peter Doggwiler Ahead of Emotional Las Vegas Grand Prix Weekend
Formula 1 arrives in Las Vegas for the 2025 Grand Prix with excitement surrounding the spectacle on the Strip, but behind the glamour and roaring engines, the paddock is enveloped in sorrow. The FIA has confirmed the passing of one of its most respected figures, Peter Doggwiler, a man whose work helped shape modern motorsport governance and global mobility. His death marks the loss of a towering figure in motorsport administration just days before one of the sport’s most high-profile race weekends.
Doggwiler, a former Secretary General of the FIA, was not just another bureaucratic executive; he was an essential architect of the federation’s modern structure and a key player in international automotive policy. His influence stretched beyond Formula 1 and into global tourism, transport safety, and mobility. Even after stepping away from his active duties, his legacy continued to influence decisions made within the FIA’s highest offices.
A Legacy Rooted in Transformation
One of Doggwiler’s most significant achievements was overseeing and helping execute the historic merger between the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) and the AIT (Alliance Internationale de Tourisme) in 2002. At the time, the FIA was primarily known for governing motorsport, while the AIT represented motoring clubs and road users. Combining the two organizations was a complex and ambitious undertaking that required diplomacy, vision, and deep understanding of the global automotive landscape.
Through that merger, Doggwiler helped broaden the FIA’s mission into a dual focus: not only regulating world motorsport—including Formula 1—but also advocating for mobility, tourism development, road safety, and the rights of everyday motorists. That strategic shift would become a cornerstone of the FIA’s identity into the 21st century, and Doggwiler was widely credited as one of its most important architects.
Tributes Pour In From FIA Leadership
Current FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem paid an emotional tribute on social media, describing Doggwiler as a leader whose efforts left an “enduring legacy.” In a heartfelt message, he wrote:
> “I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Peter Doggwiler, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
Peter played a pivotal role in the merger of the FIA and AIT and went on to represent the FIA on the global stage as Secretary General. His leadership, dedication and vision have left an enduring legacy across the tourism and mobility sector.”
These words reflect how highly regarded Doggwiler was behind the scenes—someone whose work wasn’t always public, yet whose influence touched every aspect of the FIA’s activities. His efforts in leadership, governance, and strategic planning helped create the framework that now defines the FIA’s global identity.
A Career of Service and Innovation
Beyond his role as Secretary General, Doggwiler also served as the chairman of the FIA Motor Sport Safety Development Fund programmes, a branch dedicated to improving driver and spectator safety around the world. This initiative distributed millions in funding to safety research, marshaling training, and infrastructure upgrades in developing motorsport regions.
At a time when safety was becoming a more urgent priority, Doggwiler championed reforms that aligned motorsport with responsible development. He stood firmly behind the idea that racing should push technological boundaries while also protecting lives and creating positive social impact.
His work played a part in the long-term safety evolution that has made modern Formula 1 significantly safer than in previous generations.
A Loss Felt Throughout Motorsport
As teams, drivers, and fans prepare for the Las Vegas Grand Prix—a race known for its bright lights and entertainment spectacle—Doggwiler’s passing emphasizes the deep human side of Formula 1. The sport may be driven by speed, competition, and engineering, but it is also built on decades of leadership from individuals like Doggwiler, who worked for progress far from the cameras.
While the weekend will still deliver racing drama, intrigue, and celebration, it will also carry a somber undertone. The FIA, F1 leadership, and long-time members of the motorsport community are expected to pay their respects in various ways throughout the event.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix will go on, but Peter Doggwiler’s absence will be deeply felt. His contributions to motorsport governance, international tourism cooperation, and road user advocacy remain embedded in the structures of the FIA. His legacy lives on every time the federation enforces safer rules, supports grassroot clubs, or speaks on behalf of motorists worldwide.
In a sport defined by legends, Doggwiler earned his place among them—not by setting lap records or winning championships, but by helping build the foundation that makes global motorsport possible.
His passing marks the end of an era, but his influence will continue to shape the FIA for generations.
