FIA Addresses 'Flawed' Election Claims After Candidate Withdrawal

The FIA has publicly responded to accusations of a "flawed" election process following the withdrawal of its leading presidential candidate, Graham Stoker. This leaves current president Mohammed Ben Sulayem unopposed for the upcoming December 12 election, securing his second term.

Why it matters:

Stoker, who had announced his candidacy just three months prior, launched a scathing critique of the FIA's election system, labeling it an "illusion of democracy." These claims could undermine the perceived legitimacy and transparency of the FIA's governance, especially as the organization navigates a complex future in global motorsport.

The Details:

• Stoker's Accusations: Stoker's primary concern centered on the stringent requirements for assembling a presidential list. Candidates must include specific officials (President of the Senate, Deputy President for Automobile Mobility and Tourism, Deputy President for Sport, and seven Vice-Presidents for Sport) from an FIA-approved list and diverse regions.
• Regional Blockage: A key obstacle for Stoker was the unavailability of the South American representative, Fabiana Ecclestone (wife of former FIA supremo Bernie Ecclestone), who was already part of Ben Sulayem's established list.
• FIA's Response: In a statement issued to RacingNews365, the FIA affirmed the transparency and longstanding nature of its election procedures.
  • The FIA emphasized that its presidential election is a "structured and democratic process, to ensure fairness and integrity at every stage."
  • All requirements, including deadlines and eligibility for presidential lists and World Councils, are defined in the publicly available FIA statutes and internal regulations.
  • Detailed information has been accessible on a dedicated section of the FIA's website since June 13, 2025, and communicated to all FIA members.
• Historical Precedent: The FIA also highlighted that the criteria for regional representation of vice-presidents for sport and their selection from the World Motor Sport Council are not new, having applied to previous elections.

Between the lines:

Stoker's withdrawal and subsequent criticisms highlight the inherent challenges for any challenger attempting to unseat an incumbent within a highly structured and established organizational framework like the FIA. The detailed requirements for forming a presidential list, while intended to ensure broad representation, can also act as significant barriers to entry for new candidates.

What's next:

With Ben Sulayem now poised for a second term unopposed, the focus will shift to how he addresses the ongoing governance challenges and criticisms regarding the transparency and fairness of the FIA's internal processes. The incident underscores the importance of continued scrutiny on the democratic health of international sporting federations.