In just over two months, members of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile will vote to elect their new president. Following the withdrawal of Carlos Sainz Sr., three additional candidates announced their intention to run. However, a specific clause in the FIA’s electoral rules might make Ben Sulayem the sole eligible contender.
The Emirati official’s leadership has been under scrutiny in recent years due to several controversial political decisions. Among the most debated were the fines and sanctions imposed on drivers across FIA championships for swearing or publicly criticizing the governing body during official press conferences.
The presidential race and its unexpected twist
After four years in office, the FIA will once again hold presidential elections at the end of this year. Alongside Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s bid for a second term, three other candidates entered the race: Tim Mayer, a former FIA steward; Laura Villars, a Swiss-French racing driver; and Virginie Philippot, a former model and journalist.
However, it now appears that none of the three challengers will be eligible when the election takes place on December 12. According to FIA regulations, each presidential candidate must nominate key officials—including at least one vice president—from all the regions that fall under the FIA’s global structure.
While Mohammed Ben Sulayem reportedly complied with this rule, his rivals did not. The deadline to submit these nominations has now passed, meaning they can no longer amend their applications and are therefore ineligible to appear on the official ballot. The missing representation reportedly comes from South America, where the only eligible candidate for that region is Fabiana Ecclestone—who already belongs to Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s team.
The FIA’s position on the disqualified candidates
In response to questions about the other candidates’ disqualifications, the FIA issued a formal clarification. A spokesperson explained, “Regarding the nominations for the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC), FIA members and interested candidates had more than three months—from June 13 to September 19—to submit their applications for the WMSC, should they have wished to do so.”
The spokesperson added, “They had access to all relevant information and documentation, which was easily available on the FIA’s official website to facilitate their applications. Furthermore, the FIA administration remained at the disposal of members and prospective WMSC candidates to provide any clarification necessary to help them complete their applications within the required timeframe.”
As a result, with the application window now officially closed, it appears increasingly likely that Mohammed Ben Sulayem will stand unopposed in the December elections—solidifying his control over the FIA and extending his influence within the world of international motorsport.
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