Did Mohammed Ben Sulayem Secure His Re-election as FIA President?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Mohammed Ben Sulayem re-elected as FIA President until 2029.
- Unopposed victory underscores strong support from FIA members.
- FIA's financial recovery highlights effective leadership.
- Continued focus on enhancing motorsport governance globally.
- Future investments in Member Clubs and initiatives are planned.
Paris, Dec 12 (NationPress) Mohammed Ben Sulayem has successfully secured his position as the president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), embarking on a second four-year term that will extend until 2029.
The 64-year-old Emirati, who took over the leadership from Jean Todt in December 2021, faced no opposition during his re-election at the FIA's annual general assembly held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
“I extend my gratitude to all our FIA members for their overwhelming support and trust in me once again. We have navigated numerous challenges, and today, we stand united and stronger than ever,” expressed President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
“It is a true privilege to hold the role of FIA President, and I am dedicated to advancing the FIA, motorsport, mobility, and our Member Clubs across the globe.”
Potential challengers, including Swiss-French racer Laura Villars and American ex-steward Tim Mayer, were unable to fulfill the election requirements, which stipulated that candidates must appoint a vice president from each of the six global regions. Consequently, Ben Sulayem ran unopposed.
The sole South American candidate, Brazilian Fabiana Ecclestone, who is married to former Formula One leader Bernie Ecclestone and a member of Ben Sulayem's team, was included in the official candidate list. Each candidate was required to name a representative from every FIA global region by the October 24 deadline.
Over the past four years, the FIA has undergone substantial transformations, improving its operations, governance, and financial stability. These changes have bolstered the FIA's position as the world’s premier motorsport governing body and the leading authority on safe, sustainable, and affordable mobility.
Under Mohammed Ben Sulayem's leadership, the FIA recovered from a €24.0 million deficit in 2021 to achieve a robust operating result of €4.7 million in 2024—the organization's finest financial outcome in over a decade.
During the FIA Annual General Assembly, the FIA also unveiled a forecast for a 2025 operating result of €4.4 million, highlighting its ongoing progress and stable financial growth. This renewed stability has enabled enhanced long-term investments in Member Clubs and strategic initiatives worldwide.