Mohamed Ben Sulayem was officially re-elected for a second term as FIA President at the FIA General Assembly held in Uzbekistan.
The presidential election at Tashkent’s year-end parliament became a formality, with Ben Sulayem running unopposed after candidates Tim Mayer, Laura Villars and Virginie Philippot withdrew. Little is known about Mr. Philippot’s interest, but both Mr. Mayer and Mr. Villar said they could not run because there were no approved vice presidential candidates from South America.
Each presidential list, which must be submitted to the FIA by October 24 this year, must include candidates for the Senate President, two Vice-Presidents and seven Vice-Presidents. Two Vice-Presidents will be chosen from Europe and one from a number of other regions, all from the World Motor Sport Council’s (WMSC) list of eligible candidates.
That list was published by the FIA earlier this year, and with Fabiana Ecclestone the only WMSC candidate from South America, already aligned with Ben Sulayem, none of her potential rivals could complete the full presidential list. As a result, the FIA approved Ben Sulayem as the sole candidate and approved his list for president in mid-November.
Despite Villar’s continued legal challenge in February, he was unable to obtain an injunction, and Ben Sulayem’s re-election to another four-year term was confirmed on Friday.
“Thank you, FIA members, for your amazing vote and for the confidence you have shown in me,” said Ben Sulayem. “We have overcome many obstacles, but today, together, we are stronger than ever.
“It is a real honor to be appointed President of the FIA and I am fully committed to continuing to serve the FIA, motorsport, mobility and its member clubs in every region of the world.”
Ben Sulayem’s team includes Carmelo Sanz de Barros as President of the Senate, Timothy Sherman as Vice-President for Automotive Mobility and Tourism, and Malcolm Wilson as Vice-President for Sports.
In announcing his re-election, the FIA said Ben Sulayem had “overseen a period of significant renewal and stabilization of the organization since the first elections in 2021”. The FIA posted a loss of 24 million euros ($28 million) in 2021, but today’s announcement comes at the same time that operating results for 2025 are expected to be 4.4 million euros ($5.16 million).
