FIA President Re-Elected Despite Controversy

Mohammed Ben Sulayem wins second term as head of motorsports governing body

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:41pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of the textured, pebbled surface of a Formula 1 steering wheel, capturing the raw materials and engineering that power the sport.The FIA's leadership transition raises questions about the organization's transparency and governance as it oversees the future of global motorsports.Las Vegas Today

Mohammed Ben Sulayem was re-elected as president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) for a second four-year term, despite facing challenges from a former candidate and ongoing controversies during his first mandate.

Why it matters

The FIA is the global governing body for motorsports, overseeing major championships like Formula 1, the World Rally Championship, and the World Endurance Championship. Ben Sulayem's re-election maintains continuity in the organization's leadership, but also raises questions about transparency and governance issues that have plagued his tenure.

The details

Ben Sulayem, a 64-year-old Emirati who is a 14-time winner of the Middle East Rally Championship, was the only candidate for the FIA presidency. His first term saw the organization move from a 24 million euro deficit in 2021 to a 4.7 million euro profit in 2024. However, he was also accused of trying to improperly influence the 2023 Grand Prix events in Las Vegas and Saudi Arabia, leading to an ethics investigation that ultimately cleared him.

  • Ben Sulayem was first elected FIA president at the end of 2021.
  • The FIA was operating at a 24 million euro deficit in 2021.
  • By 2024, the FIA had achieved a 4.7 million euro profit under Ben Sulayem's leadership.
  • In April 2025, FIA vice president Robert Reid resigned, citing a lack of transparency.
  • The Paris judicial court ordered a trial to examine the FIA's electoral process, set to begin on February 16, 2026.

The players

Mohammed Ben Sulayem

The 64-year-old Emirati who has served as president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) since the end of 2021 and was re-elected for a second four-year term in 2026.

Laura Villars

A Vaudoise woman who was prevented from applying for the FIA presidency and took the organization to court to challenge the voting rules, which she claimed prohibited any opponent of Ben Sulayem from running.

Robert Reid

The FIA's vice president in charge of sport and a close ally of Ben Sulayem, who resigned in April 2025 citing a lack of transparency.

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What they’re saying

“I am committed to continuing to work for the FIA, for motorsport, for mobility and for our member clubs in all regions of the world.”

— Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President

What’s next

The Paris judicial court has ordered a trial to examine the FIA's electoral process, which is set to begin on February 16, 2026.

The takeaway

Ben Sulayem's re-election as FIA president maintains stability in the motorsports governing body, but ongoing questions about transparency and governance issues during his first term suggest the organization may face continued scrutiny and challenges ahead.