Michael Smith
Michael is an experienced sports and motorsport executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience across Australia, the Middle East and international markets. His career spans major event delivery, sporting governance, strategy, commercial operations, risk and safety, organisational development and stakeholder management.
Michael has held senior executive positions with both the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) and Motorsport Australia, working with governments, international sporting federations, commercial rights holders, event promoters and major industry stakeholders. His experience combines strategic leadership with the practical delivery of complex, high-profile sporting events.
His major event experience includes Formula 1, Formula E, the FIA World Rally Championship, the Dakar Rally, and national championships. He has held senior sporting and operational roles across Formula 1 events in Saudi Arabia, Australia, Singapore, Korea, Abu Dhabi, Russia and Qatar, as well as providing international training and consultancy through the FIA Global Training Program.
Michael also has extensive experience in driver development and elite sporting pathways. He led the Ferrari Driver Academy program in the Asia Pacific region, including management of the Ferrari Driver Academy Asia Pacific Selection Camps, identifying and providing pathways for emerging driving talent. His subsequent work in Saudi Arabia included oversight of driver development programs and academies spanning Formula 1 Academy, GT, Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East and WRC pathways.
Most recently, as Chief Sporting & Technical at SAMF, Michael led Saudi Arabia's motorsport strategy and sporting and technical operations. His responsibilities encompassed major-event procurement and delivery, grassroots development, elite driver pathways, sporting infrastructure, governance and regulatory frameworks, and management of an annual budget of SAR 100 million. He also worked with Saudi government stakeholders in support of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives for sport and major events.
Prior to this, Michael spent more than a decade in senior leadership with Motorsport Australia, including as Director – Motorsport & Commercial Operations. He led sporting, membership and commercial functions, managed significant commercial relationships and contracts, and oversaw major national championships and development programs. For the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, he served as Secretary of the Event and a member of the Organising Committee from 2008 to 2023.
Michael's international standing is reinforced by appointments including Chairman of the FIA Formula 1 Sport Organiser Working Group, former Vice President of the FIA Volunteer & Officials Commission, FIA Expert and Trainer, and membership of FIA development and insurance taskforces.
Through March6, Michael brings this experience to organisations seeking senior-level expertise across major events, strategy, governance, risk and safety, sports management, commercial operations and talent development. His approach combines strategic thinking with extensive operational experience and an understanding of what is required to successfully deliver complex projects in highly regulated, multi-stakeholder environments.
Core Expertise: Major Events · Strategy · Governance · Risk & Safety · Sports Management · Commercial Leadership · Event Operations · Driver & Talent Development · Stakeholder Management · Organisational Development · International Federation Relations
