The FIA has officially announced that Mohammed ben Sulayem has been re-elected for a second term as the president of the governing body for motorsport. Ben Sulayem ran unopposed in the election held at the FIA General Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, garnering 91.5 percent of the vote and receiving a standing ovation from delegates.
However, the validity of the election process faces scrutiny as a hearing is scheduled in mid-February to review potential irregularities. Despite three challengers, Laura Villars, Tim Mayer, and Virginie Philippot, declaring their intent to run against Ben Sulayem, none could fulfill the requirement of presenting a complete list of potential vice-presidents from all FIA global motorsport regions.
The absence of viable alternatives led to Ben Sulayem being the sole candidate on the ballot, prompting criticism from Mayer who questioned the democratic nature of the process. Villars took legal action in France, leading to a hearing to determine the election’s validity.
In response to the legal proceedings, the FIA confirmed that the election will proceed as scheduled. The organization is focused on addressing important issues in motorsport and automotive mobility with its global member clubs. Ben Sulayem’s re-election was later confirmed via the FIA’s social media platforms, securing his position for another four-year term overseeing various elite motorsport series.
Ben Sulayem, who first assumed office in 2021, succeeded Jean Todt and will continue leading the organization. Fans of Formula 1 can now access live practice, qualifying, and race coverage through Sky’s new Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, which includes additional benefits like access to over 100 TV channels, Netflix, and Discovery+.