Why is Ben Sulayem the favorite for the FIA ​​presidency?

Election season is approaching at the FIA… or rather, re-election season. Incumbent President Mohammed Ben Sulayem appears to be the only real candidate in the running. He faces three other contenders: Belgian personality Virginie Philippot, Swiss racing driver and entrepreneur Laura Villars, and motorsport expert Tim Mayer.

A fragmented opposition to the outgoing president

FIA Steward and former Director General of Operations of theIMSA and ALMS, Tim Mayer is presenting a strong candidate. Recently removed from his duties as FIA steward via a simple message from a subordinate of Ben Sulayem, the Dalton, Pennsylvania, native has been campaigning since July to succeed the outgoing president.

Two women are also competing with her. Laura Villars, who announced her candidacy in September, hopes, like Michèle Mouton and Susie Wolff, defending the place of women in motorsport. Virginie Philippot, former Miss Belgium, reality TV candidate and founder of the association Drive for Hope – active in the Democratic Republic of Congo – formalized its candidacy in October.

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Mohammed Ben Sulayem, in pole position for the presidency

Despite this opposition, the reality seems to favor the Emirati. According to the regulations, each presidential candidate must submit a list that includes a Senate president, a vice-president for automobile mobility and tourism, a vice-president for sport, and seven vice-presidents for sport, who are themselves eligible to run for the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) and come from different regions: North America, South America, Asia-Pacific, Africa, MENA, and Europe. It should also be noted that each candidate can only appear on one presidential list.

The FIA ​​has published the list of 29 approved vice-presidents for sport, and several regions appear to be locked in for Ben Sulayem. This is because only one name appears for South America: Fabiana Ecclestone, wife of former FIA chief executive Bernie Ecclestone. Formula 1The Brazilian is a staunch supporter of the current FIA president and is already on Ben Sulayem's presidential list. Moreover, both African candidates appear to be committed to the Dubaioite's cause. Rodrigo Rocha (Mozambique) is also on the list alongside Fabiana Ecclestone, and Amine C Mohamed (Kenya) also supports the outgoing president.

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A re-election almost certain

Although Mayer has the experience and contacts to rally vice-presidents to his cause, particularly in South America, no other alternative candidate has been proposed in this region. It therefore appears that any other candidacy for the region has been rejected by the FIA, with the nomination committee having the final say on eligibility for the WMSC. Mayer, who recently toured South America (Chile, Bolivia, Argentina), was warmly welcomed, but regulatory realities limit his chances of putting together a full list. It should also be remembered that a collective of 36 Spanish-speaking FIA members pledged their support to President Mohamed Ben Sulayem in May 2025.

The list of eligible vice-presidents for the CMSA is now closed, with the deadline for submissions set for September 19. Thus, no new candidates can be proposed for South America. While other candidates have until October 24 to submit their presidential slates that meet the aforementioned criteria, their chances are slim. The election is also scheduled for December 12, 2025, and in this context, the outcome is hardly in doubt.

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