Ben Sulayem’s Unchallenged Path to Re-Election

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) since 2021, is set to retain his position unopposed in December’s election. Despite initial interest from three potential candidates—American Tim Mayer, Swiss ex-driver Laura Villars, and Belgian journalist Virginie Philpott—a procedural quirk in FIA regulations has effectively barred challengers.

Election Controversy Explained

• Regional Representation Rule: Candidates must nominate vice-presidents from each of the FIA’s six global regions. However, South America’s sole nominee, Fabiana Ecclestone (wife of ex-F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone), is already aligned with Ben Sulayem’s team, blocking rivals from fulfilling this requirement.
• Senate Nomination Loophole: A June 2025 rule allows the FIA Senate (controlled by Ben Sulayem) to appoint two World Council nominees. Critics argue this enables incumbents to bypass regional constraints, a privilege unavailable to challengers.

Governance Criticisms Mount

Former FIA Sport Vice-President Robert Reid resigned in April, citing a "breakdown in governance standards." In a LinkedIn post, Reid criticized the election process:

"The system appears democratic but locks the door from within. Controlling regional nominees through persuasion or pressure stifles competition."

Structural Reforms Under Scrutiny

• Statutory Changes: Recent amendments to FIA statutes, including Senate nomination powers, have drawn backlash. Austria’s OAMTC warned these changes risk "eroding the FIA’s reputation for transparent governance."
• Leadership Purges: Ben Sulayem has ousted multiple senior figures since 2024, including ex-CEO Natalie Robyn and compliance officer Paolo Basarri, following internal disputes over his leadership style.

Unresolved Questions

• Daniel Coen’s Eligibility: Costa Rica’s Coen, Ben Sulayem’s North American VP nominee, faces scrutiny as Costa Rica hosts no international motorsport events—a requirement for council membership.
• FIA Neutrality: The FIA has not responded to BBC Sport’s inquiries about ensuring fair treatment of candidates, despite statutes mandating "equal treatment" and "anti-corruption procedures."

Broader Implications for Motorsport

This election underscores growing tensions between centralized authority and democratic governance in global motorsport. With Formula 1’s commercial growth at stake, stakeholders question whether the FIA can balance regulatory rigor with transparency under Ben Sulayem’s leadership.

Related developments:

• FIA abandons 2029 engine regulation overhaul
• UK Senate representative removed amid restructuring