When Mohammed Ben Sulayem announced his intention to stand for re-election as FIA president earlier this year, it was unlikely he could have predicted he would face three other candidates.

Ben Sulayem became the FIA’s first non-European president in 2021 and is seen as the favourite to win December’s election, but his first term has been anything but straightforward.

He took office promising reform, transparency and a more democratic federation, but instead, his tenure has been dogged by rows over governance, questions of concentration of power, and a series of high-profile resignations from senior FIA figures.

Several controversies – from the handling of Formula 1 governance, to public clashes with the commercial rights holder, to the departure of key lieutenants – have raised doubts over whether the federation has become stronger or more divided.

Ben Sulayem has also bristled at the FIA’s treatment in F1, complaining last year that the ruling body will never get the credit he believes it deserves.

Despite defending his record by pointing to financial stabilisation and global outreach, the sense of disquiet within the federation has emboldened rivals.

As the General Assembly prepares to convene in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on 12 December 2025, the election has become a referendum not only on Ben Sulayem’s leadership, but on the very direction of the FIA.

For the first time in two decades, multiple challengers are aiming to force a genuine contest for the FIA’s top job.

However, some of the candidates themselves are facing scrutiny given their lack of credentials, the delay in announcing their intention to run, and the absence of details about their plans and teams.

Requirements to be a candidate

Quite literally, anyone can announce their intention to run for FIA presidency.

However, becoming an actual candidate is not as straightforward, and every challenger must meet a certain number of requirements.

– Candidates must be under 70 years old on election day, and must be nominated by one of the FIA’s 245 member clubs.

– Presidential list requirement: Any candidate must present, along with themselves, a complete leadership ‘presidential list’ – this includes deputies, the president of the Senate, and vice-presidents responsible for both sporting and mobility sides. These must satisfy regional/continental representation rules.

The nomination process window is from October 3 to October 24, after which the FIA Nominations Committee will evaluate the presidential lists for compliance before forwarding qualified candidates to the General Assembly for the vote.

In summary, while any person can announce their intention to run for president, a structure, alliances, administrative readiness, and political work are among the requirements to be considered an actual candidate.

The candidates

Tim Mayer

Mayer is an American motor sport executive and former long-time FIA steward, part of a well-known motor sport family (his father Teddy Mayer co-founded McLaren).

Mayer announced his candidacy at the British Grand Prix and has been explicit that his campaign is about governance reform, transparency and rebuilding trust within the FIA.

He has publicly accused the current leadership of centralising power and presiding over a culture that has driven resignations and dissent.

“The FIA must evolve from a control culture to a service culture,” Mayer’s campaign, titled ‘FIA Forward’ says.

“The FIA must deliver value to our member clubs and foster real growth — from grassroots to global championships. That starts with simplified rules, cost-effective tools, and structured training for clubs and officials.

“We will become true partners for growth with our championship promoters, teams and drivers. But most of all, we will commit to emerging regions and break down barriers, for anyone held back by cost, complexity or culture.”

Mayer has credibility inside the sport, established relationships with national clubs and commercial actors, and a clear narrative about governance reform.

Mayer is the most credible of the challengers aiming to run against Ben Sulayem. However, the American is yet to publicly announce his presidential list.

Laura Villars

Villars is a Swiss racing driver, aged 28, who has competed in junior single-seater and sports car categories, and who announced her intention to run against Ben Sulayem in September.

If she is deemed a qualified candidate, she could be the first woman to run for FIA presidency.

Villars has laid out a platform built around transparency, support for young talent, inclusion, diversity, as well as sustainability.

“I want to renew and refresh the FIA,” she told ESPN. “I am bringing a new vision. I have been in motor sports all my life.

“My candidacy was perhaps quite unusual, perhaps, from yesterday. But I hope from tomorrow it will be normal and that people will be, I hope, inspired by it.”

Villars claims to have been working on her nomination for months and says she has a full team behind her, but like Mayer, she’s yet to reveal her presidential list.

Virginie Philippot

Philippot is the latest challenger to reveal her intention to run for president, announcing the news on social media on 30 September.

The 33-year-old Belgian is a journalist, presenter and communicator with a history in motor sport media.

“My vision is clear, a Federation that is closer to its clubs, fairer to its members, and stronger in its global mission,” she wrote.

“A Federation that gives real opportunities to young talents, that opens doors to Africa and emerging regions, that acts decisively for road safety, and that embraces the energy of tomorrow with responsibility and ambition.

“This is not just a campaign, it is a call for renewal. Together, with the audacity to innovate and the strength to unite, we can build a FIA that honours its heritage while boldly shaping its future.”

Like Villars, Philippot will need to translate public awareness into votes from member clubs to secure her spot as a candidate.

Bottom line: A reality check

Over the following weeks, the 2025 FIA presidential election will generate a lot of noise about a four-way race, but the reality is that it’s a battle that could narrow very quickly.

Ben Sulayem has plenty of support from MENA and the Americas, and remains the clear favourite. His incumbency, regional alliances and the statute changes pushed through in his first term all tilt the balance his way, regardless of the controversies during his four-year spell.

Mayer is the only challenger with the profile and institutional experience to mount a serious bid, and will have support from members seeking change at the top of the ruling body.