Mohammed Ben Sulayem Poised For FIA Re-Election Unopposed Despite Lawsuit

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the sole candidate to succeed himself as president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), is set to be re-elected on Friday in Tashkent following a contentious election

process.

Swiss national Laura Villars and American former FIA steward Tim Mayer both expressed interest in running. However, election regulations require candidates to appoint vice-presidents from each of the six global regions, chosen from a list approved by the FIA. Only one person, Brazilian Fabiana Ecclestone — the wife of ex-Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone — is listed from South America and has already agreed to join Ben Sulayem’s team.

Last week, a Paris court chose not to suspend the election but ordered a trial to examine the electoral process after an urgent application from Villars, who was unable to stand as a candidate.

“The judge hearing the summary proceedings ruled that this dispute was a matter for the trial court, and we will therefore continue this lawsuit against the FIA before the trial judges. A first hearing is scheduled for February 16, 2026,” Villars’ lawyer Robin Binsard, said in a statement last Wednesday.

“The election on December 12, 2025, organised with a single candidate, will be held as planned. Its validity, given the challenges raised, may be examined, questioned or annulled by the court,” added the 28-year-old Swiss driver’s counsel.

As a result, Ben Sulayem will be uncontested when the election takes place as scheduled on Friday in Uzbekistan, where this year’s general assembly of the FIA is being held.

What FIA Oversees?

The Paris-based FIA organises the Formula One and rally world championships, and promotes road safety. It has more than 240 clubs across 146 countries, representing around 80 million members.

A former rally driver, Ben Sulayem succeeded Frenchman Jean Todt as FIA president at the end of 2021. His tenure has been marked by controversy. The 64-year-old Emirati was criticised by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton for using stereotypical language when discussing foul outbursts by drivers on team radios. Drivers also clashed with the FIA over its crackdown on swearing, which was strengthened in January, sparking an indignant response from them. Controversial fines were later reduced following backlash from the grid.

In April, FIA’s deputy president Robert Reid resigned, criticising Ben Sulayem’s governance and lack of transparency. Despite this, Ben Sulayem defended his record last weekend as he looked forward to another four years in charge.

“I would say I am looking forward for the next four years,” he said. “Cleaning the house was not easy, getting the right people in the FIA was a challenge. Now I can tell you, it was worth the four years of investment.

“And if you tell me now ‘OK, if you have the power to rewind the four years, what would you do differently?’. Nothing.”

(With inputs from Agencies)