The FIA presidential election is set to go ahead on 12 December 2025 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, despite ongoing legal action by Swiss racing driver Laura Villars challenging the process. Incumbent president Mohammed Ben Sulayem will stand unopposed, though the outcome could still be affected by a court ruling in February 2026.

Villars, who had announced her candidacy in September, launched legal proceedings against the FIA in October, arguing that the election process prevented any other candidate from running due to restrictions on forming a full slate of vice-presidents. Her lawyer sought an emergency injunction in a Paris court to suspend the election, but the court allowed the vote to proceed.

A press release from Villars’ team stated that the judge “held that the irregularities raised regarding the presidential election must be examined.”

A first hearing on the case is scheduled for 16 February 2026, when the court will review Villars’ objections, which focus on the impossibility of presenting an alternative candidate list and the unprecedented situation of a single eligible candidate for South America.

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Why No Other Candidate Can Run

FIA rules require presidential candidates to submit a list of potential vice-presidents representing all FIA regions. Villars, like American candidate Tim Mayer, could not meet the requirement by the 24 October deadline, largely due to South America having only one official nominee—Fabiana Ecclestone, who is already on Ben Sulayem’s team.

This restriction effectively blocks any challenger from forming a valid slate, leaving Ben Sulayem as the sole eligible candidate. Villars has questioned whether this complies with the FIA’s stated principles of governance, democracy, and integrity.

Mayer, who also attempted a candidacy, previously accused the FIA of “lacking transparency” and criticized the election as giving “the illusion of democracy” before ultimately withdrawing from the race.

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FIA Response and Election Outlook

An FIA spokesperson confirmed the election will proceed as planned:

“The French Court has issued its decision on 3rd December, confirming that the election for the President of the FIA will proceed on 12th December at the FIA General Assemblies in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The FIA remains focused on the forthcoming General Assemblies and discussing with its member clubs globally important issues for both motorsport and automotive mobility.”

While Ben Sulayem is expected to secure a second four-year term, Villars’ legal challenge could still annul or review the election results when heard in February. The situation has drawn attention to the FIA’s electoral rules, raising questions about accessibility, fairness, and transparency in its governance processes.

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Looking Ahead

The FIA election highlights broader concerns within motorsport governance about candidate eligibility, regional representation, and the ability for opposition candidates to contest leadership roles. Villars’ ongoing legal challenge could set a precedent for how the FIA conducts future elections and ensures adherence to principles of democracy and integrity.

The motorsport world will watch closely as both the December election and the February court hearing approach, with implications for FIA leadership and governance that could extend beyond Ben Sulayem’s term.