FIA Confirms Ben Sulayem's Sole Candidacy for Presidential Election

The FIA has officially announced that Mohammed Ben Sulayem will run unopposed in December's presidential election, essentially guaranteeing him another term. This confirmation transforms what would typically be a competitive election into a mere formality, cementing Ben Sulayem's position at the helm of motorsport's governing body.

Why it matters:

Mohammed Ben Sulayem's likely re-election without a challenger highlights significant structural issues within the FIA's electoral process, raising questions about transparency and fairness. A leader elected without opposition could influence the direction of Formula 1 and other motorsport categories for years to come, impacting everything from technical regulations to governance.

The details:

• Sole Candidate Confirmed: Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who assumed office in late 2021 after Jean Todt's tenure, is the only candidate for the upcoming presidential election in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
• Challenger Obstacles: Several individuals initially expressed interest in challenging Ben Sulayem, but they faced an insurmountable hurdle: the FIA's stringent requirement for any presidential ticket to include ten named officials, including seven vice presidents for sport from specific global regions.
• South American Bottleneck: The critical issue arose with the South American representation. The FIA's list of eligible World Motor Sport Council candidates featured only one name from the region: Fabiana Ecclestone, who is already part of Ben Sulayem's official ticket. This effectively eliminated any potential challenger's ability to form a complete slate.
• Failed Attempts: Tim Mayer, Laura Villars, and Virginie Philipott all attempted to assemble full slates but failed to meet the deadline, leading to Ben Sulayem's uncontested run.

Between the lines:

While the FIA's rules ostensibly aim for global representation, in practice, they create a highly centralized system that can be difficult for outsiders to navigate. The specific requirement for regional vice presidents, coupled with a limited pool of eligible candidates, appears to have inadvertently (or intentionally) consolidated power around the incumbent. This 'process only one person could survive' scenario suggests that the current rules effectively act as a gatekeeper, making it incredibly challenging for new blood to enter the presidential race.

What's next:

Despite the impending formality of the election, a legal challenge is underway. Laura Villars, a vocal challenger, is suing the FIA, arguing that the nomination rules contradict the federation's own statutes by creating an anti-competitive environment. A judge in Paris is scheduled to deliver a ruling on December 3, just nine days before the election. While it's uncertain whether the judgment can alter the outcome, it underscores the ongoing tensions and criticisms surrounding the FIA's governance. Unless the court dramatically intervenes, Ben Sulayem's re-installation as president without a contest seems inevitable.