The FIA presidential election scheduled for December 12th is becoming a long-running legal issue.
The Paris court has decided that a trial will be opened in early 2026 to decide the legality of the election. Explosive: incumbent Mohammed bin Sulayem is the only approved candidate.
Swiss racing driver Laura Villars, 28, had submitted her candidacy to challenge Mohamed bin Sulayem. But according to the court, she was prevented from submitting a complete list – a prerequisite for even standing for election.
The Paris Court of Justice has now confirmed that proceedings will be opened “to clarify the substantive questions,” as the decision states. At the same time, the judge decided not to postpone the election itself or to immediately rule on its legality.
The result: The presidential election can take place in December in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) as planned – bin Sulayem will automatically be re-elected due to the lack of an opposing candidate. Only later, as part of the process, could the election be declared invalid. Whether this will happen is completely open.
Villars, Mayer, Philippot: Three candidates – none admitted
In addition to Villars, Tim Mayer and Virginie Philippot also expressed interest in running. But they all failed because of the same hurdles: the requirements required by the FIA for submitting the official list of candidates. According to her lawyers, this set of rules made it virtually impossible to run against her.
Villars particularly criticizes “the impossibility of drawing up an alternative list” as well as “the unprecedented situation in which only a single candidate is even allowed in the South American region.” She also criticizes the “lack of transparency and the questionable functioning of the nomination committee” and questions whether the election procedures correspond to the principles of “governance, democracy and integrity” to which the FIA is committed to the outside world.
Process from February 2026 – election could be overturned retroactively
The trial will begin on February 16, 2026 at the Paris court. Only there will the allegations against the FIA be discussed in detail. The judges should then clarify whether the election was carried out correctly or whether there were structural deficiencies that question its legitimacy. A possible scenario would be the subsequent cancellation of a presidential election that has already been concluded – a precedent in international automobile racing.
Villars said in a statement that she was acting “for the credibility, fairness and integrity of international motorsport.” She goes on to say: “I will continue this fight before the relevant judges to ensure that the electoral process meets the governance standards expected of an international organization.”
It is already clear: bin Sulayem will be confirmed for a second term in December. But his return to office comes under a legal reservation that could have an impact for years to come. The proceedings in Paris will determine whether the election stands or whether the FIA has to prepare for one of the most serious institutional disputes in its history.