FIA Presidential Election Challenge Delayed to 2026

A Parisian court has ruled that former FIA presidential candidate Laura Villars' legal challenge against the motorsport governing body must be examined by judges on the merits, delaying the crucial hearing until February 16, 2026. This decision ensures that the FIA presidential election will proceed as scheduled on December 12, 2025, in Uzbekistan, amidst ongoing controversy surrounding the electoral process.

Why it matters:

This ruling effectively clears the path for the upcoming FIA presidential election, but it also prolongs a significant legal battle that questions the very integrity of the FIA's electoral rules. The outcome could set a precedent for future elections within motorsport's global governing body, highlighting potential flaws in its democratic processes and the influence of incumbent candidates.

The details:

• Laura Villars, who announced her candidacy earlier this year, was forced to withdraw from the 2025 election along with fellow candidates Tim Mayer and Virginie Philipott.
• The withdrawal was due to a specific rule: each presidential candidate must present a list of prospective vice-presidents for sport from global regions, and a list of candidates for the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC).
• Crucially, each individual can only be named on one candidate's list. For the 2025 election, only one qualified candidate declared from the South American region: Fabiana Ecclestone.
• Ecclestone confirmed her allegiance to current President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, making it impossible for any other candidate to meet the full requirements for their lists. This situation effectively made Ben Sulayem the sole eligible candidate, paving the way for his uncontested return to a second four-year term.
• Villars' lawsuit sought to suspend the December 12 election, arguing against the legality and fairness of the process.

What's next:

While the immediate legal challenge to halt the election has been unsuccessful, the case will proceed on its merits in 2026. This means the legality of the FIA's electoral process will be scrutinized in detail, albeit after the 2025 election has already taken place.

• Villars' lawyer, Robin Binsard, confirmed that the litigation against the FIA will continue, with the first hearing on the merits scheduled for February 16, 2026.
• The delayed hearing ensures Mohammed Ben Sulayem is likely to secure a second term unopposed, but the court's eventual decision could still force significant reforms within the FIA's electoral framework for future cycles.
• This ongoing legal saga casts a long shadow over the FIA's internal governance and could lead to calls for greater transparency and fairness in its presidential elections.