FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is preparing another potentially significant change to the governing body’s rules, this time targeting the age limit for senior officials. Having already secured the removal of presidential term limits, the Emirati is now looking to eliminate the age restriction that prevents individuals over 75 from holding senior management or presidential positions. The proposal could be put to a vote at the next FIA General Assembly, raising fresh questions about the president’s long-term intentions.
Since taking office, Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s leadership has been marked by controversy, disputed decisions and internal tensions. Against this backdrop, changes to the FIA’s electoral regulations have taken on considerable political significance, particularly as the governing body continues to reshape the rules determining who can hold its most influential positions.
FIA governance rules keep changing under Mohammed Ben Sulayem
In 2023, during his first term, a maximum age of 70 was introduced for candidates seeking senior leadership positions. Mohammed Ben Sulayem himself presented the measure as a way to “improve governance and accountability” within the FIA.
However, the decision immediately raised suspicions. The regulation could potentially have excluded David Richards, who was being mentioned at the time as a possible challenger to Mohammed Ben Sulayem in the 2025 presidential election.
It was not the only controversial episode surrounding the federation’s internal procedures. Ahead of that election, several FIA members became involved in a dispute over confidentiality agreements that reportedly prevented them from attending a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.
The episode raised further concerns about institutional transparency within an organisation responsible for overseeing international motorsport, including the regulations governing Formula 1.
Now, however, the FIA appears to be moving in the opposite direction when it comes to age restrictions.
According to the BBC, the federation intends to propose abolishing the upper age limit. The official justification is that such restrictions risk reducing the pool of qualified candidates, potentially depriving the organisation of individuals with valuable experience and expertise.
Considered in isolation, that argument has merit. Removing age-based restrictions could allow experienced officials to continue contributing to the federation. However, the wider political context makes the proposal considerably more contentious.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem could remain FIA president beyond previous limits
Just six months ago, Mohammed Ben Sulayem had already secured the abolition of presidential term limits, opening the possibility of remaining in charge of the Paris-based governing body for an indefinite period, provided he continues to win elections.
That decision represented a major change to the FIA’s leadership structure. The removal of the three-term presidential limit eliminated one of the principal restrictions on how long an individual could remain in office.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem had also previously announced his intention to address the federation’s age restrictions. That commitment now appears increasingly likely to become a formal proposal.
The wider FIA governance reforms and presidential eligibility changes have already prompted debate about the balance between institutional continuity and opportunities for new leadership.
What the proposed FIA age-limit change means for future elections
Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s current presidency is secured until December 2029, when his second term expires. However, the implications of the proposed reform extend well beyond the next election.
Removing restrictions on presidential terms and age eligibility would fundamentally alter the conditions under which future FIA leaders could remain in power. Although elections would continue to determine who holds the presidency, the removal of these limits could make leadership changes less likely to occur through the existing eligibility rules.
The controversy also follows previous disputes over the federation’s electoral procedures, including the allegations surrounding Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s re-election and the challenges faced by prospective presidential candidates.
Ultimately, the debate goes beyond Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s personal political future. By progressively removing restrictions on eligibility for senior positions, the FIA risks creating a system in which changes at the top become increasingly dependent on electoral challenges rather than established institutional limits.
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