09/10/2025
NEWS STORY
Published list of eligible candidates for the World Motor Sport Council suggests that Mohammed ben Sulayem's re-election as FIA president is almost a formality.
The main opposition to the Emirati looked to be former FIA steward Tim Mayer, but since then two other hopefuls have thrown their hats into the ring, Laura Villars and Virginie Philippot.
However, following the publication of the list of eligible candidates for the World Motor Sport Council it would appear the result of the election, due to take place in December, is already effectively decided.
The election regulations mandate that potential candidates for the presidency must nominate a team of seven potential vice-presidents for sport in order to progress to a vote. Two of these must come from Europe with one each from South America, North America, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East/North Africa.
Of the 29 eligible candidates named on the list there is only one representing South America, Fabiana Ecclestone, wife of the former F1 boss, and a known ally of Ben Sulayem.
The deadline for submitting candidates for the WMSC list was 29 September, with the fact that there was only one candidate from South America put down to either the failure of member clubs putting anybody forward or prospective candidates failing to secure the approval of the nominations committee.
"With regard to the candidatures for the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC), FIA Members and interested candidates had more than three months (from 13 June until 19 September) to submit applications for the WMSC if they so wish," said a spokesperson. "They had access to the relevant information and documents, which were easily accessible on the FIA's website, in order to submit an application.
"In addition, the FIA Administration remained at the disposal of the FIA Members and interested candidates for the WMSC to provide them with clarifications in order to complete their applications on time."