FIA Presidential Candidate Sues Over Undemocratic Election Process

FIA presidential candidate Laura Villars is suing the federation over its electoral process, citing concerns about democratic standards. The first hearing is scheduled for November 10th. The upcoming presidential election on December 12th sees four announced candidates, yet only the incumbent, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, is currently eligible to run.

Why it matters:

Laura Villars' lawsuit and the broader criticism from figures like Tim Mayer highlight significant concerns about transparency and fairness within the FIA's highest office. The implications extend beyond the current election, potentially impacting the federation's credibility and its ability to govern global motorsport democratically. Ensuring a truly open and fair election is crucial for the FIA's legitimacy and the trust of its member clubs worldwide.

The Details:

• Eligibility Rules: FIA rules mandate that presidential candidates assemble a team of seven vice-presidents, with representation from each of the six global regions. However, for South America, only one individual, Fabiana Ecclestone, is eligible to serve as a vice-president.
• Incumbent's Advantage: Fabiana Ecclestone is part of Ben Sulayem's team, effectively preventing any other candidate from fulfilling the full team requirement and thus from running for president.
• Prior Withdrawal: Former FIA steward Tim Mayer withdrew his presidential bid two weeks prior, publicly criticizing an 'illusion of democracy' and citing 'ethics violations'.
• Legal Proceedings: Villars has initiated a 'référé' procedure in a Paris court, requesting an expedited provisional decision. The first hearing is set for November 10th.
  • Villars' lawsuit specifically asks the court to postpone the FIA's presidential election until a final ruling is made on the dispute.
• Villars' Statement: In a public statement, Villars asserted, "I have twice tried to open a constructive dialogue with the FIA on essential matters such as internal democracy and the transparency of electoral rules. The responses received were not up to the challenge. I am not acting against the FIA. I am acting to protect it. Democracy is not a threat to the FIA; it is its strength."
• Conciliation Meeting: The court has also invited both parties to a conciliation meeting, which Villars intends to attend with an attitude of "calm, openness, and determination," hoping for a "sincere dialogue."

Between the lines:

Tim Mayer's 'FIA Forward' campaign has lauded Villars' legal action, viewing it as a significant step towards greater transparency within the federation. The campaign revealed that it had previously submitted ethics complaints regarding the election, which had not even been acknowledged by the FIA. This lack of response mirrors the experience reported by Villars' campaign, suggesting a pattern of non-engagement from the FIA regarding these critical issues.

What's next:

The November 10th court hearing will be pivotal in determining the immediate future of the FIA presidential election. A decision to postpone the election could force the FIA to re-evaluate its electoral rules and potentially open the field to other candidates, paving the way for a more genuinely democratic process. Conversely, a ruling against Villars could solidify Ben Sulayem's path to a second term amidst ongoing controversy.