Mohammed bin Sulayem has been elected FIA president for another four years – the vote was a mere formality, as no other candidates were allowed to stand.
Mohammed bin Sulayem has won the election for FIA President. The current incumbent was confirmed in office for another four years at the FIA General Assembly in Tashkent (Uzbekistan). The former rally driver will thus remain at the helm of the world motorsport governing body until at least the end of 2029.
Bin Sulayem’s election was merely a formality because he was the only candidate allowed to run. Tim Mayer withdrew his candidacy back in October, criticizing: “When elections are decided before the ballots are distributed, that’s not democracy.”
Swiss racing driver Laura Villars went one step further and took the FIA to court because she was also not allowed to stand for election. A trial will now begin in early 2026 to decide on the legality of Friday’s election.
This means that, in theory, the election could still be declared invalid retrospectively. There is no mention of this in the press release sent out by the FIA on Friday afternoon regarding Sulayem’s re-election. Instead, the president’s achievements during his first term in office are highlighted.
FIA praises “sustainable financial improvement”
For example, it states: “Over the past four years, the FIA has undergone a comprehensive transformation that has led to improvements in corporate governance and operational processes, as well as restoring the financial health of the federation.”
“These changes have strengthened the FIA’s position as the world’s leading motorsport governing body and the leading authority on safe, sustainable, and affordable mobility.”
Following a vote of the General Assembly in Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been re-elected as President of the FIA for his second four-year term, alongside Deputy President for Sport Malcolm Wilson OBE, Deputy President for Automobile Mobility and… pic.twitter.com/jLpU2NU3fW
— FIA (@fia) December 12, 2025
It goes on to say: “Under the leadership of Mohammed bin Sulayem, the FIA has turned a loss of €24 million in 2021 into a robust operating profit of €4.7 million in 2024 – the strongest financial result the federation has achieved in almost ten years.”
In addition, the forecast is to close 2025 with an operating profit of €4.4 million, “demonstrating continued momentum and sustainable financial improvement.”
FIA emphasizes: “Election in accordance with the FIA statutes”
Mohammed bin Sulayem himself is quoted as saying: “I would like to thank all FIA members for their large turnout in the election and for placing their trust in me once again. We have overcome many obstacles, but today we stand here together and are stronger than ever.“
”It is a great honor to be President of the FIA, and I will continue to devote all my energy to the FIA, motorsport, mobility, and our member clubs in all regions of the world,” said the old and new FIA President.
Given the circumstances of the election, the last sentence in the press release is also interesting: “The election was conducted in accordance with the FIA’s statutes in a robust and transparent voting process that reflected the democratic principles of the federation and the collective voice of its worldwide members.”
