FIA president, Mohammed ben Sulayem, has confirmed that he will stand for re-election later this year.

Almost from the moment he was elected in December 2021 he has been embroiled in controversy, and while he wasn't even in power at the time of that year's controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix he did oversee the subsequent investigation.

Since then his dictatorial management has put him in conflict with almost everyone, from F1's owners to drivers, team bosses and even members of FIA staff who have quite the sport's governing body in droves.

While the threat of legal action from F1 itself eventually calmed, former employees have threatened it as well as FIA members, with Suzie Wolff currently involved in legal action following the investigation that never was over an alleged conflict of interest.

Speaking to Reuters in Monaco, Ben Sulayem confirmed that he is to stand for a second term.

"I feel having three years in a complex federation like the FIA is not enough," he said. "Do I need more time? Yes," he added. "Has it been easy? Never. Has it been enjoyable? Sometimes.

"So, I am going to stand," he confirmed. "I consulted with most of the members. I speak to them.

"I cleaned up the FIA house," he said, the organisation having recently reported a €4.7m (£3.9m) profit compared to a €24m (£20m) deficit in 2021. "Honest people are there. My back is not anymore with knives in it.

"All of this negativity," he continued, 'Oh, he's unpredictable, he's very controversial'. I am the last one who cares what they do, what they say. To me it is always about the members.

"I am more than happy. Maybe I am doing something that irritates them."

Asked about Carlos Sainz Snr, who is considering standing against him for the presidency, Ben Sulayem said: "Let him stand. That is democracy."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Wokingchap, 9 hours ago

"Sorry Ed, I'm not as eloquent as our excellent commentators here .......and don't want to get you into trouble. Delete or add as you wish."

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2. Posted by Wokingchap, 9 hours ago

"I really hope this xxxxx xxxx xxxxx xx xxxx and xxxx off to where xxxxxxxx like him are welcome, because we don't want the xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxx xxxt here any more or ever see xxxxxxxxxxxxy xxxxs xxxkin bxxxxxd
"

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3. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 20 hours ago

"Well now, apparently asking him to be accountable for his immoral, dubious and probably illegal actions is stabbing him the back. Good thing he "cleaned house" and only the "honest" people are there now. What a piece of work."

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4. Posted by JamesD, 26/05/2025 21:01

"In the words of the late, great Frankie Howard - Neigh, neigh and thrice neigh !!"

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5. Posted by moomoo, 26/05/2025 20:29

"What a sick making picture!"

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6. Posted by Max Noble, 26/05/2025 14:11

"Why doesn’t he just go for a lifetime appointment and save all this messing about with votes? I’m sure another 35 - 45 years of Ben would be best for the sport.
"

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7. Posted by KKK, 26/05/2025 13:31

"I am sorry, but your statement : "I am more than happy. Maybe I am doing something that irritates them." is a little off the mark. Its you that irritates everyone. You shouldnt be elected again, you have done nothing to improve the sport. Maybe you should get a job on a cooking channel, you would be more suited to stir up a cake than be the President of the FIA"

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Mohammed ben Sulayem confirms bid for second term

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