FIA Presidential Candidate Sues Over Election Rules, Alleges Unfair Advantage for Ben Sulayem

FIA presidential candidate Laura Villars has officially filed a lawsuit against the International Automobile Federation (FIA), alleging that the current electoral regulations effectively prevent her and other challengers from mounting a genuine challenge to incumbent president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Villars has petitioned the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris to suspend the presidential election, scheduled for December 12, 2025, in Uzbekistan, “until a decision on the merits has been rendered.” A preliminary hearing has already been set for November 10, just under a month before the planned election date.

Why it matters:

This legal challenge strikes at the heart of the FIA's governance, potentially delaying or even nullifying a presidential election. The outcome could significantly impact the future leadership and direction of global motorsport, especially if the court finds the current rules suppress fair competition and maintain the incumbent's power.

The Details:

The core of the legal dispute centers on the stringent requirements for presidential candidates. According to FIA regulations, each candidate must present a full team of seven Vice Presidents, each representing a specific global region. Specifically, two must be from Europe, with others from Asia-Pacific, Middle East/North Africa, North America, South America, and Africa.

• The Constraint: A critical clause states that an individual can only represent one candidate. If a candidate fails to secure the required number of representatives, their entire candidacy is automatically invalidated.
• The Impact: For Villars and other potential challengers, including American Tim Mayer, this rule effectively made it impossible to submit a valid list from the outset.
• The South American Hurdle: The situation was exacerbated in early October when the FIA published the official list of 29 members of the World Motor Sport Council from which candidates could choose. Crucially, in South America, there is only one eligible representative, Fabiana Ecclestone, who is widely considered a staunch supporter of Ben Sulayem.

Between the lines:

Villars argues in her lawsuit that this structure renders the presidential election neither free nor fair from the outset. By limiting the pool of eligible vice-presidential candidates and allowing key figures to align exclusively with the incumbent, the rules create an insurmountable barrier for challengers. This situation raises serious questions about democratic processes within the FIA and the transparency of its electoral system.

What's next:

If the court grants Villars' petition, the election planned for December could be postponed or even completely restructured, forcing the FIA to revise its electoral guidelines to ensure a more equitable and competitive process. The outcome of the November 10 hearing will be crucial in determining the immediate future of the FIA presidency.