Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been re-elected as president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) after standing unopposed in the recent election held at the FIA General Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The 64-year-old Emirati, who has led the global motorsport governing body since December 2021, secured 91.51% of the vote, with the remaining 8.5% of eligible FIA clubs choosing not to support the sole candidate. He will now serve a second four-year term, running until December 2029.

Why Was Ben Sulayem Unopposed?

A quirk in the FIA election rules prevented any other candidate from standing. American Tim Mayer and Swiss Laura Villars had initially intended to run but were unable to meet the strict requirement to present a complete slate of vice-presidential nominees covering all FIA global regions.

For example, only one South American was on the official list, and Brazilian Fabiana Ecclestone — wife of former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone — was already part of Ben Sulayem’s team. As a result, no alternative candidates could officially contest the election.

Despite being unopposed, the election is facing a legal challenge in France brought by Villars, with a first hearing scheduled for 16 February 2026.

Controversies During Ben Sulayem’s First Term

Ben Sulayem’s first term was marked by several governance controversies. Critics accused him of consolidating power in a way that undermined the independence of FIA committees, leading to the departure of multiple senior figures.

Additionally, the FIA and its commercial rights holder, F1, are currently involved in a legal action from former F1 driver Felipe Massa over the infamous “crashgate” scandal at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.

Nevertheless, the FIA praised Ben Sulayem’s first term, highlighting a “wide-ranging transformation” in governance, financial stability, and operations. The organization credited him with:

• Strengthening budgetary discipline
• Enhancing external audit processes
• Modernizing governance structures
• Improving transparency, accountability, and professional standards

In his own statement, Ben Sulayem said:
“This year has marked a pivotal moment for the FIA. In 2025, we completed a historic financial turnaround, secured a stronger future for all FIA World Championships, and continued to deliver safer, more sustainable, and more affordable mobility worldwide.”

Additional Roles

Ben Sulayem has also been named chairman of the FIA Foundation, an independent UK-registered charity focused on road safety and sustainable mobility. The FIA spokesperson declined to comment further on the Foundation.

The re-election secures Ben Sulayem’s leadership of motorsport at a critical time for the FIA, with F1, WRC, and other FIA World Championships continuing to expand globally.