Ben Sulayem Re-elected as FIA President for Second Term
Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been re-elected unopposed as FIA President, securing a second term until 2029. The election proceeded after a legal challenge to the candidacy rules was deferred, allowing Ben Sulayem to continue leading motorsport's governing body through a crucial period ahead of F1's 2026 regulatory changes.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been re-elected unopposed as President of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), securing a second four-year term that will extend his leadership of motorsport's global governing body to 2029. The 64-year-old Emirati, who succeeded Jean Todt in December 2021, was confirmed during the FIA's Annual General Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Why it matters:
The FIA presidency wields significant influence over the future direction of Formula 1, other world championships, and global road safety initiatives. Ben Sulayem's unchallenged re-election consolidates his authority during a pivotal period for the sport, which includes managing the transition to new technical regulations in 2026 and navigating complex commercial and political relationships with F1's commercial rights holders.
The details:
- Ben Sulayem ran unopposed after potential rivals failed to meet a key election requirement: nominating a vice-presidential candidate from each of the FIA's six global regions.
- Only one candidate from South America—Brazilian Fabiana Ecclestone, who is married to former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone and is part of Ben Sulayem's team—was officially listed by the October 24 nomination deadline.
- Swiss-French racing driver Laura Villars, a potential candidate, launched legal action in French courts to challenge the election rules. A Paris court ruled earlier this month that the election could proceed as scheduled, with a full hearing on the merits of the case set for February 16, 2025.
The big picture:
Ben Sulayem's first term was marked by several high-profile controversies, including a public clash with F1's commercial rights holder over the valuation of new teams and a series of internal governance reviews. His re-election suggests he retains strong support from the FIA's member clubs worldwide, who value his focus on the federation's grassroots and mobility missions alongside its elite sporting operations.
What's next:
With his position secured for another four years, Ben Sulayem's immediate focus will be on steering the FIA through the final development phase of the 2026 F1 power unit and chassis regulations, a critical project that will define the sport's technical and environmental direction for the next era. The ongoing legal challenge from Laura Villars also presents a potential backdrop of institutional scrutiny in the coming months.