Ben Sulayem re-elected as FIA president

Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been re-elected as president of the FIA. 

Ben Sulayem controversially ran unopposed in this year’s presidential election, which took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, ahead of the 2025 prize-giving ceremony. The Emirati will serve a second four-year term, having first been elected in 2021 with 61.62% of the vote to then deputy president for sport Graham Stoker’s 36.62%.

«Thank you to all our FIA Members for voting in remarkable numbers and placing your trust in me once again,» Ben Sulayem said. «We have overcome many obstacles but here today, together, we are stronger than ever.  
 
«It is truly an honour to be FIA president, and I am committed to continuing to deliver for the FIA, for motorsport, for mobility, and for our Member Clubs in every region around the world.»

The 64-year-old initially had more challengers this time around, namely former FIA steward Tim Mayer, racing driver Laura Villars, and Virginie Philippot, a model and influencer.

None of them were actually able to run though, due to the rule requiring each candidate to put together a team of seven vice-presidents from the FIA’s six global regions. The only eligible vice-president from South America, Fabiana Ecclestone, pledged her support to Ben Sulayem.

The process was slammed as an «illusion of democracy» by Mayer, who suggested that some eligible vice-presidents from South America may have been «persuaded, pressured, or promised something not to stand».

Meanwhile, Villars sued the FIA over the arguably undemocratic process. A Paris court ruled on 3 December that a full trial would be necessary; it will take place on 16 February. The annulment of today’s presidential election is a potential outcome.

«The election was conducted in line with the FIA’s statutes through a robust and transparent voting process, reflecting the democratic foundations of the federation and the collective voice of its global membership,» the FIA press release announcing Ben Sulayem’s re-election stated.

Elected presidential list

Past FIA presidents 

President	Years in position
Mohammed Ben Sulayem	2021 — present
Jean Todt	2009 — 2021
Max Mosley	1993 — 2009
Jean-Marie Balestre	1985 — 1993
Paul Alfons Furst Von Metternich-Winneburg	1975 — 1985
Prince Amaury De Merode	1971 — 1975
Wilfrid Andrews	1965 — 1971
Prince Filippo Caracciolo Di Castagneto	1963 — 1965
Count Hadelin de Liedekerke Beaufort	1958 — 1963
Jehan de Rohan-Chabot	1936 — 1958
Count Robert de Vogue	1931 — 1936
Baron Etienne De Zuylen de Nyevelt	1904 — 1931

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