Ben Sulayem to run unopposed in FIA presidential election

Mohammed Ben Sulayem is set to stand unopposed in December’s election for the presidency of motorsport’s governing body, the FIA.

Three people had earlier shown interest in running: American Tim Mayer, Swiss former racer Laura Villars, and Belgian journalist Virginie Philpott.

However, FIA election rules have made it impossible for anyone else to contest against Ben Sulayem.

Presidential candidates must submit a list of prospective vice-presidents for sport, chosen from each of the FIA’s six global regions.

But the World Council list includes only one nominee from South America, Brazilian Fabiana Ecclestone, wife of former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, who is already part of Ben Sulayem’s team.

This means no other candidate can name a vice-president for sport from that region, effectively blocking any new entries.

FIA statutes state that the organisation will “respect the highest standards of governance, transparency and democracy, including anti-corruption functions and procedures.”

The FIA also says it must remain neutral during the election and ensure “equal treatment between candidates for the FIA’s presidency.”

Mayer declined to comment, while the FIA did not respond to questions from BBC Sport.

Robert Reid, who resigned as Ben Sulayem’s vice-president of sport in April, citing “a fundamental breakdown in governance standards within motorsport’s global governing body,” wrote on LinkedIn:

“Each presidential candidate must present a full slate, including seven vice-presidents drawn from a list of World Council nominees.

“If the incumbent already controls those names in any region through persuasion, pressure or promise, then no challenger can form.

“The process looks democratic, but in practice, it locks the door from the inside. It isn’t a democracy. It isn’t even unusual. But that doesn’t make it right.”

There are also questions about the eligibility of Daniel Coen from Costa Rica, nominated by Ben Sulayem as vice-president for sport representing North America, since members must come from countries that host international motorsport events, something Costa Rica does not.

In June, a new rule was passed allowing the FIA Senate, controlled by Ben Sulayem, to nominate two candidates to the World Council. Critics say this gives him further control over the election process.

This development comes amid ongoing criticism of Ben Sulayem’s leadership and changes to FIA statutes that some members, including Austria’s OAMTC, said could damage the body’s reputation for good governance.

Over the past year, Ben Sulayem has removed several senior FIA officials, including managing director Natalie Robyn, audit head Bertrand Badre, and compliance officer Paolo Basarri, all of whom had questioned his leadership. Mayer was also dismissed from his steward role last November.

BBC Sport

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