Meet Virginie Philippot, the woman contesting Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s FIA leadership. Virginie Philippot, former model, journalist, and founder of Drive For Hope, is challenging Ben Sulayem for the FIA presidency.

F1 | Who is Virginie Philippot – the woman challenging Ben Sulayem for FIA presidency

Ben Sulayem is preparing to defend his FIA presidency on multiple fronts, as Virginie Philippot steps into the spotlight as a new contender. Let’s take a closer look at the profile of this emerging candidate.

The race for the FIA presidency is heating up. When it seemed that Mohammed Ben Sulayem would have no rivals in his second term, opposition has begun to emerge. For now, it appears to be a four-way contest between the current president, Tim Mayers, Laura Villars, and the recently announced Virginie Philippot.

Virginie Philippot’s profile is anything but conventional in the world of motorsport. A former model and journalist, she gained public attention by participating in beauty pageants, finishing second in Miss Belgium and even taking part in the Miss Universe competition.

At the same time, she has built a career that combines passion with social commitment. She is the founder and president of the NGO Drive For Hope, which is particularly active in Congo, promoting initiatives for orphans and educational projects.

The 33-year-old Belgian is a familiar presence in international motorsport circles, appearing regularly in the paddocks of Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship (WEC). Her candidacy brings a fresh perspective, challenging Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s leadership and opening up a new possibility: that of a young woman with a background outside traditional motorsport politics leading the FIA.

“I am running for the FIA presidency. Not to be the first, but to ensure I am not the last,” Virginie Philippot wrote in an Instagram post announcing her candidacy. “I believe motorsport should reflect the real world: brave, diverse, and united.”

“As a woman with a global vision and deep roots, I am here to open doors that have been closed for too long. Let’s build a truly inclusive FIA together, for every voice, every story, every passion. The race toward the future starts now.”

The Belgian, born in 1992, joins the other three candidates for the FIA presidency. The elections will take place on December 12 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.