Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been officially re-elected as FIA President for a second term at the FIA General Assembly in Uzbekistan.
The presidential election at the year-end meeting in Tashkent was a formality, with Ben Sulayem running unopposed, following the withdrawal of candidates Tim Mayer, Laura Villars and Virginie Philippot. Although little was known about Philippot’s interest, both Mayer and Villars stated that they were unable to run due to the lack of endorsed 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 Senate President, two vice presidents and seven vice presidents. The vice presidents must be two from Europe and one from each of a number of other regions, all drawn from a list of eligible candidates from the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC).
That list was published by the FIA earlier this year and includes only one WMSC candidate from South America – Fabiana Ecclestone – who was already aligned with Ben Sulayem, and therefore no potential rival could complete a full presidential list. As a result, in mid-November, the FIA confirmed Ben Sulayem as the sole candidate, after approving his presidential list.
Despite a legal challenge from Villars that will continue into February, she failed to suspend the election, and Ben Sulayem’s re-election for a new four-year term was confirmed on Friday.
“Thank you to all our FIA members for voting in remarkable numbers and once again placing their trust in me,” said Ben Sulayem. “We have overcome many obstacles, but today we are stronger than ever together.
“It is truly an honor to be FIA President, and I am determined to continue to deliver for the FIA, for motorsport, for mobility and for our member clubs in every region around the world.”
Ben Sulayem’s team includes Carmelo Sanz de Barros as Senate President, Timothy Shearman as Vice President for Automobility and Tourism, and Malcolm Wilson as Vice President for Sports.
Announcing the re-election, the FIA said Ben Sulayem “has overseen a period of significant renewal and stabilization for the organization since his first election in 2021”. The FIA posted a loss of €24 million ($28 million) in 2021, but today’s announcement came at the same time as a forecast 2025 operating profit of €4.4 million ($5.16 million).
#Ben #Sulayem #officially #reelected #FIA #president #RACER