FIA Presidential Election Set to Proceed Amid Controversy as Court Orders Trial
In a stunning turn of events, a Paris court has mandated that the challenge posed by Laura Villars against the FIA will move forward to trial, but brace yourselves: this legal drama will NOT halt the forthcoming presidential election scheduled for next week!
Laura Villars, a fierce contender in the race, filed her lawsuit against the FIA back in October, raising alarm over the restrictive rules that effectively allow only the current president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, to stand for re-election. This exclusive arrangement has sparked outrage within the motorsport community, highlighting a troubling lack of democratic processes.
But the situation becomes even more contentious! In a shocking twist, all three of Villars’ fellow challengers—Tim Mayer and Virginie Philippot—were compelled to withdraw their candidacies after the only viable vice-presidential candidate from South America, Fabiana Ecclestone, pledged her unwavering support to Ben Sulayem. This has left the electoral landscape looking decidedly lopsided, with critics decrying the absence of genuine competition.
Villars, alongside her attorney Robin Binsard, has publicly condemned the FIA, asserting that they face “the impossibility of presenting an alternate bid.” They have raised serious concerns regarding the transparency of the nominating committee and questioned the electoral procedures that are supposed to align with the governance, democracy, and integrity principles that the FIA champions. In a press release, Villars expressed her frustration at the unprecedented situation where a single candidate dominates the South American region.
As the court proceedings unfold, the Tribunal judiciaire de Paris has decided that a full trial is essential to address these allegations. Mark your calendars: the trial is set for February 16, 2026. However, the FIA’s presidential election is still on track to take place on December 12 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This means that, while Villars and her legal team gear up for battle, the election could very well proceed—potentially sealing Ben Sulayem’s fate.
What does this mean for the future of the FIA? If the trial leads to an unfavorable verdict for the FIA, there’s a chance that Ben Sulayem’s election could be annulled, sending shockwaves through the organization.
Mayer’s FIA Forward campaign has characterized the recent court ruling as “a reasonable and expected response,” acknowledging the intricate nature of the case and the rapid pace of the legal proceedings. They noted that not all evidence was presented during the preliminary hearing, indicating that this story is far from over.
As the motorsport world holds its breath, the implications of this trial could redefine governance within the FIA and alter the landscape of motorsport politics. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving saga, as the battle for the FIA presidency intensifies!









