Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been re-elected as the president of the FIA, the governing body of motorsport, without opposition, as he was the sole candidate in the election.
FIA is the regulatory authority for motorsport and advocates for safe, sustainable, and accessible transportation for all road users globally.
The 64-year-old Emirati’s uncontested position arose due to specific FIA election regulations that barred other candidates from running.
In the election held during the FIA General Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Ben Sulayem received 91.51% of the votes, although 8.5% of the eligible clubs chose not to support him.
He will serve a second four-year term, which will conclude in December 2029.
Later on Friday, the official F1 awards ceremony will take place, where McLaren’s Lando Norris will receive the drivers’ championship trophy for the first time.
American Tim Mayer and Swiss Laura Villars had expressed interest in running for the position but were unable to assemble the necessary team of potential vice-presidents.
FIA election rules require each candidate to nominate someone from every global region represented in the FIA. However, there was only one South American on the official candidate list, and Brazilian Fabiana Ecclestone, the wife of former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone, was already part of Ben Sulayem’s team.
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The election is currently facing a legal challenge in France from Villars, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for February 16.
Additionally, the FIA, along with F1’s commercial rights holder, is dealing with a lawsuit from former F1 driver Felipe Massa, who is seeking damages related to the ‘crashgate’ incident at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
Ben Sulayem’s first term was marked by several controversies regarding governance and the departure of senior officials following disagreements with him.
Critics accused him of implementing changes that compromised the independence of various governance structures within the FIA.
In a statement following his re-election, the FIA noted that Ben Sulayem’s first term had led to significant transformations, enhancing governance, operations, and the financial stability of the federation.
The statement also highlighted broader institutional reforms over the past four years, which included improved budget discipline, enhanced external audit processes, and modernized governance structures, resulting in increased transparency, accountability, and professional standards within the organization.
Ben Sulayem remarked, “This year has been a crucial turning point for the FIA. In 2025, we achieved a historic financial recovery, secured a stronger future for all FIA World Championships, and continued to promote safer, more sustainable, and more affordable mobility globally.”
He has also been appointed as the chairman of the FIA Foundation, an independent charity registered in the UK.
