Ben Sulayem re-elected as FIA president
by Ben Vinel · AutosportIncumbent FIA president has clinched another four-year term leading the federation
Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been re-elected as president of the FIA.
Ben Sulayem controversially ran unopposed in this year’s presidential election, which took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, ahead of the 2025 prize-giving ceremony. The Emirati will serve a second four-year term, having first been elected in 2021 with 61.62% of the vote to then deputy president for sport Graham Stoker's 36.62%.
"Thank you to all our FIA Members for voting in remarkable numbers and placing your trust in me once again," Ben Sulayem said. "We have overcome many obstacles but here today, together, we are stronger than ever.
"It is truly an honour to be FIA president, and I am committed to continuing to deliver for the FIA, for motorsport, for mobility, and for our Member Clubs in every region around the world."
The 64-year-old initially had more challengers this time around, namely former FIA steward Tim Mayer, racing driver Laura Villars, and Virginie Philippot, a model and influencer.
None of them were actually able to run though, due to the rule requiring each candidate to put together a team of seven vice-presidents from the FIA’s six global regions. The only eligible vice-president from South America, Fabiana Ecclestone, pledged her support to Ben Sulayem.
The process was slammed as an "illusion of democracy" by Mayer, who suggested that some eligible vice-presidents from South America may have been "persuaded, pressured, or promised something not to stand".
Meanwhile, Villars sued the FIA over the arguably undemocratic process. A Paris court ruled on 3 December that a full trial would be necessary; it will take place on 16 February. The annulment of today's presidential election is a potential outcome.
"The election was conducted in line with the FIA’s statutes through a robust and transparent voting process, reflecting the democratic foundations of the federation and the collective voice of its global membership," the FIA press release announcing Ben Sulayem's re-election stated.
Elected presidential list
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| President of the FIA | 🇦🇪 Mohammed Ben Sulayem |
| President of the Senate | 🇪🇸 Carmelo Sanz de Barros |
| Deputy President for Automobile Mobility and Tourism | 🇨🇦 Timothy Shearman |
| Deputy President for Sport | 🇬🇧 Malcolm Wilson |
| Vice-President for Sport (Middle East and North Africa) | 🇧🇭 Abdulla Al-Khalifa |
| Vice-President for Sport (Africa) | 🇲🇿 Rodrigo Rocha |
| Vice-President for Sport (North America) | 🇨🇷 Daniel Coen |
| Vice-President for Sport (South America) | 🇧🇷 Fabiana Ecclestone |
| Vice-President for Sport (Asia-Pacific) | 🇸🇬 Lung-Nien Lee |
| Vice-President for Sport (Europe) | 🇪🇸 Manuel Avino Roger |
| Vice-President for Sport (Europe) | 🇸🇪 Anna Nordkvist |
Past FIA presidents
| President | Years in position |
| 🇦🇪 Mohammed Ben Sulayem | 2021 - present |
| 🇫🇷 Jean Todt | 2009 - 2021 |
| 🇬🇧 Max Mosley | 1993 - 2009 |
| 🇫🇷 Jean-Marie Balestre | 1985 - 1993 |
| 🇦🇹 Paul Alfons Furst Von Metternich-Winneburg | 1975 - 1985 |
| 🇧🇪 Prince Amaury De Merode | 1971 - 1975 |
| 🇬🇧 Wilfrid Andrews | 1965 - 1971 |
| 🇮🇹 Prince Filippo Caracciolo Di Castagneto | 1963 - 1965 |
| 🇫🇷 Count Hadelin de Liedekerke Beaufort | 1958 - 1963 |
| 🇫🇷 Jehan de Rohan-Chabot | 1936 - 1958 |
| 🇫🇷 Count Robert de Vogue | 1931 - 1936 |
| 🇧🇪 Baron Etienne De Zuylen de Nyevelt | 1904 - 1931 |
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