MOHAMMED BEN SULAYEM has been re-elected as president of the FIA despite facing a legal battle over the election process.
The 64-year-old was the only candidate in the voting process, which took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Swiss driver Laura Villars and American former FIA steward Tim Mayer had expressed a desire to run for presidency but were both denied the opportunity.
Under FIA regulations, candidates are required to appoint vice-presidents from each of the six global regions, chosen from an approved list.
But the only vice-president listed from South America – Fabiana Ecclestone from Brazil – gave her backing to Ben Sulayem.
As a result, Villars and Mayer were not allowed to run.
A court in Paris last week decided against suspending the election but instead ordered a trial to examine the election process.
It came after Villars launched legal action against the FIA to challenge the way the process is completed.
The 28-year-old told BBC Sport in October: “The legal action is grounded on Article 1.3 of the FIA statutes, which commits the FIA to ‘respect the highest standards of governance, transparency and democracy’, and on the fact that the FIA is a French-law association headquartered in Paris, thus subject to French jurisdiction.
“This step is neither hostile nor political – it is a responsible and constructive initiative to safeguard transparency, ethics and pluralism within global motorsport governance.
“As I have stated publicly, 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.”
Following the announcement of Ben Sulayem’s re-election, Villars’ lawyer Robin Binsard said: “The judge hearing the summary proceedings ruled that this dispute was a matter for the trial court, and we will therefore continue this lawsuit against the FIA before the trial judges.
“A first hearing is scheduled for February 16, 2026.”
The lawyer also explained: “Given the challenges raised, (the election result) may be examined, questioned or annulled by the court.”
Ben Sulayem could therefore lose his position – or there could be another election – if the court decides to make a change.
