Ben Sulayem Re-elected as FIA President as New Concorde Agreement is Finalized

Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been re-elected unopposed for a second term as FIA President, securing his leadership until 2029. This comes as Formula 1 finalizes the new Concorde Agreement, extending the sport's foundational commercial and regulatory framework through 2030 with a focus on improving race direction and stewarding.

Why it matters:

The dual announcements solidify the governance structure of Formula 1 for the remainder of the decade. Ben Sulayem's continued presidency, despite internal controversies, and the long-term commercial agreement provide a period of stability. The new Concorde Agreement's specific focus on enhancing officiating directly addresses a key area of criticism from teams and fans in recent seasons.

The details:

• Ben Sulayem was re-elected unopposed at the FIA General Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Potential challengers, including former steward Tim Mayer and driver Laura Villars, were unable to secure the required nominations to stand.
• Laura Villars is pursuing legal action against the FIA over the election process, with a hearing scheduled for February 16, 2026.
• The new Concorde Agreement, binding F1, its 11 teams, and the FIA until 2030, was finalized concurrently. A key provision is enabling the FIA to invest more heavily in race regulation, technical expertise, and support for race directors and stewards.
• Ben Sulayem's first term was marked by several public controversies, including clashes with Lewis Hamilton over jewelry rules and disputes with drivers like Max Verstappen over penalties. The tenure also saw the resignation of Deputy President for Sport Robert Reid, who cited a "breakdown in governance standards."

What's next:

The focus shifts to implementation. Ben Sulayem's second term will be judged on whether the FIA can modernize its operations and improve the consistency and transparency of race officiating as outlined in the new Concorde Agreement. The long-term commercial stability provided by the agreement allows teams and F1 management to plan strategically, but the governing body must now deliver on its promises to enhance the sporting regulatory framework. The pending legal challenge from Villars remains a backdrop, but not an immediate threat to the established leadership.