Autobayng News Team
Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been officially confirmed as the winner of the 2025 FIA presidential election.
The 64-year-old’s re-election was considered a formality as he faced no rival candidate.
Three individuals previously announced they would stand against him. However none of the potential rival candidates were able to fulfil the terms of the FIA’s election rules.
The FIA requires all candidates to select prospective vice presidents from six different regions. However it only approved a single candidate for South America, effectively meaning only one presidential ticket could be put forward.
As the South American candidate, Fabiana Ecclestone, is a supporter of Ben Sulayem, none of his rivals were able to arrange an approved list of candidates and therefore could not stand. Ecclestone is the wife of former Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone.
One prospective candidate, Laura Villars, brought legal action against the FIA in Paris. It is due to begin hearings in February.
The FIA first confirmed the election of Ben Sulayem and his team in a statement which read: “A super majority of the FIA General Assembly has re-elected Mohammed Ben Sulayem as President of the FIA for a second four-year term, together with Malcolm Wilson OBE, Tim Shearman and Carmelo Sanz de Barros.”
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Ben Sulayem named Wilson as the new FIA deputy president for sport earlier this year after Robert Reid resigned in protest at new confidentiality agreements introduced by the governing body. Reid was part of Ben Sulayem’s 2021 election-winning team when he defeat rival candidate Graham Stoker.
“Members have also elected the new World Council for Automobile Mobility and Tourism and World Motor Sport Council, who will serve until the 2029 General Assembly elections,” the FIA added.
Ben Sulayem thanked his supporters after his re-election was confirmed. “We have overcome many obstacles but here today, together, we are stronger than ever,” he said. “It is truly an honour to be FIA President, and I am committed to continuing to deliver for the FIA, for motorsport, for mobility, and for our member clubs in every region around the world.”
This article will be updated.
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