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Mohammed Ben Sulayem set to remain FIA president as rule quirk blocks rivals

  //humor-quirks.news-articles.net/content/2025/10 .. n-fia-president-as-rule-quirk-blocks-rivals.html
  Published in Humor and Quirks on Saturday, October 18th 2025 at 12:05 GMT by Crash
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FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem's Re-election Path Secured by Rule Anomaly

Mohammed ben Sulayem’s position as president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) appears secure, despite growing calls for scrutiny and potential challenges to his leadership. A complex quirk within the FIA’s own statutes is effectively blocking any rival candidates from mounting a credible challenge at the next presidential election in 2024. The situation, detailed by Crash.net, highlights an unusual procedural hurdle that favors Ben Sulayem's continued tenure and raises questions about the democratic processes within motorsport’s governing body.

The core of the issue lies in Article 13 of the FIA statutes, specifically concerning eligibility for candidacy. This article stipulates that potential presidential candidates must have served as a member of the World Council for at least four years prior to the election. Currently, no individual currently holding a position on the World Council meets this requirement outside of Ben Sulayem himself.

Ben Sulayem was elected FIA president in December 2021, defeating Jean Todt after campaigning heavily on promises of reform and greater transparency within the organization. His victory signaled a desire for change amongst member clubs, who felt Todt’s decade-long reign had become stagnant. However, his subsequent tenure has been marked by controversy, including accusations of inappropriate conduct, questionable decision-making regarding race classifications, and perceived conflicts of interest. These issues have fueled speculation about potential challenges to his leadership in 2024.

The Crash.net article explains that several individuals were considered as possible contenders for the presidency, including former F1 driver Alexander Wurz and current Formula E CEO Jamie Reigle. However, neither meets the four-year World Council membership requirement. Wurz served on the Drivers’ Advisory Panel but not the World Council, while Reigle's experience is primarily within commercial motorsport roles. This effectively eliminates them from formally entering the race unless a significant rule change occurs before 2024.

The FIA statutes are complex and have evolved over time. The current requirement for World Council membership was introduced to ensure that presidential candidates possess a deep understanding of the organization's operations and responsibilities, encompassing not just Formula 1 but also other FIA-sanctioned disciplines like rallying, endurance racing, and touring car competitions. The intention was to prevent individuals with limited experience within the broader FIA structure from assuming the presidency.

According to Crash.net, discussions are ongoing within the FIA regarding potential amendments to Article 13. Some member clubs are reportedly advocating for a relaxation of the requirement, arguing that it unduly restricts the pool of eligible candidates and limits democratic choice. However, any such changes would require a two-thirds majority vote at an FIA General Assembly, a significant hurdle given the organization’s diverse membership and potential resistance from those who believe maintaining the current rule safeguards against inexperienced leadership.

The article also references concerns raised by several member clubs regarding the process of amending the statutes themselves. The complexity of the rules surrounding changes to the FIA's governing documents adds another layer of difficulty, potentially delaying or even preventing any alterations before the 2024 election. This procedural bottleneck further solidifies Ben Sulayem’s position and limits opportunities for alternative leadership to emerge.

The situation highlights a broader debate about governance within international sporting organizations. While rules designed to ensure competence and experience are valuable, they can also inadvertently create barriers to democratic participation and stifle potential for renewal. The FIA's current predicament underscores the need for careful consideration of these trade-offs when designing and implementing governing structures. The Crash.net report suggests that the pressure from member clubs may eventually force a review of Article 13, but whether this will happen in time to impact the 2024 election remains uncertain.

[ https://www.fia.com/ ] - FIA Official Website: Provides information on FIA statutes and governance structures.