Ben Sulayem Re-Elected as FIA President Amid Controversial Vote

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  Published in Humor and Quirks on Friday, December 12th 2025 at 7:49 GMT by Sports Illustrated
      Locale: AUSTRIA

Mohammed Ben Sulayem Re‑elected as FIA President Amid a Controversial Election Process

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has officially confirmed that Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been re‑elected as its president for a second term. The decision, announced in the wake of a highly‑publicised and contested voting process, comes after a series of procedural hiccups, a delayed final ballot and heated debate among the sport’s global stakeholders. Although Ben Sulayem had been a leading figure in the motor‑sport world for nearly a decade, the 2023 election was anything but a straightforward “yes‑no” vote.

A Quick Look at Ben Sulayem’s Background

Before stepping into the presidency, Ben Sulayem made his name as a racing driver on the Formula One grid during the early 2000s. Born in the United Arab Emirates, he raced for teams such as Jordan, Sauber and later, the legendary “Benetton” outfit that had evolved into the modern‑day Williams. The Emirati’s passion for the sport was matched by an equally strong commitment to safety. While still racing, he helped design a crash‑detection system for Formula One that later became part of the FIA’s safety arsenal.

In 2015, the FIA elected Ben Sulayem as its 17th president, a decision that surprised many because the governing body’s electorate is largely dominated by national motorsport federations. His first term ended in 2018 when the FIA was forced to resign amid accusations that the organisation had failed to adequately regulate the sport. Ben Sulayem’s return to the helm in 2023 was seen by many as a chance to restore credibility and strengthen the FIA’s relationship with both Formula One and the broader motorsport community.

The 2023 Election: What Went Wrong?

The FIA’s election cycle is traditionally conducted during the World Motorsport Congress (WMC), a gathering that draws national motorsport federations, race organisers, sporting clubs and other stakeholders. For the 2023 election, the FIA’s Executive Committee opened a nomination window that saw two main candidates emerge: Mohammed Ben Sulayem and a new contender, a former world rally champion and the “long‑time” critic of the FIA’s governance, who had garnered substantial support among grassroots federations.

In theory, the election was supposed to be a simple majority vote, but a number of technical glitches turned the process into a multi‑stage ordeal:

1. Technical Malfunctions: The initial round of voting was conducted via a secure electronic system. However, the system crashed just as the deadline for submissions was about to pass. The FIA had to suspend the vote, re‑establish a secure platform, and allow all delegates to submit again – a delay that cost the organisation a significant amount of time.

2. Re‑voting and the “Second Ballot”: Once the system was repaired, a second round of voting was scheduled. In this round, the delegate votes were counted again, but the results were inconclusive because the difference between the two candidates was within the margin of error allowed by FIA regulations. To resolve the tie, the FIA called for an extraordinary vote – the third round – that effectively became a “run‑off” election.

3. Allegations of Irregularities: The delay and repeated rounds of voting sparked accusations from some national federations that the process was rigged or that the FIA’s leadership had been unresponsive to the needs of the sport. Critics claimed that the FIA’s electronic system had been manipulated or that the rules governing the election were poorly drafted.

4. Legal Threats: A group of federations threatened to file a complaint with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the FIA’s parent body, if the results were not accepted. They argued that the FIA had breached its own statutes and that the vote should be declared null.

Despite these controversies, the FIA’s Board of Trustees convened and ratified the results after a review of the voting process and a consultation with the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The final count, reported on March 27, 2023, gave Ben Sulayem 33 votes to his opponent’s 28 – a decisive, but narrow, majority.

What the Election Means for the Future of Motorsport

Ben Sulayem’s re‑election has wide‑ranging implications for Formula One, other motorsport disciplines and the FIA’s strategic objectives. The new president has already set out a number of priorities:

• Safety First: In 2019, the FIA introduced a new “Crash Data Recorder” system for Formula One. Ben Sulayem has vowed to roll out similar data‑recording initiatives across all series under the FIA umbrella – from WRC to GT3 – to better analyse incidents and improve car design.

• Sustainability Agenda: The FIA has pledged to reduce the carbon footprint of motorsport. Ben Sulayem is working to expand the FIA’s “Carbon Neutral Formula One” programme, collaborating with teams and manufacturers on the use of sustainable fuels, electrification, and energy‑efficiency measures.

• Governance Reform: The election’s drama has highlighted the need for clearer rules and a more democratic decision‑making process. Ben Sulayem is promising a review of the FIA’s constitution and an overhaul of the electoral system to prevent future controversies. The reform is expected to involve a new “National Federation Accreditation” scheme that would provide greater transparency over delegate voting rights.

• Relationship with Formula One: The FIA has had a rocky relationship with Formula One since the 2010s, when the sport’s top teams formed the “International Motor Sports Association” (IMSA) to challenge the FIA’s authority over regulations. Ben Sulayem is actively engaging with the teams to restore trust, especially in the context of the ongoing push for a more sustainable and equitable commercial model.

Key Takeaways

1. Ben Sulayem is Back in Charge – After a 2015‑2018 first term and a brief hiatus, he is now the FIA’s 18th president, securing a second term amid a highly contentious election.

2. The Election Was Controversial – A crash‑in‑the‑system, a tie‑break run‑off, and allegations of irregularities made the vote far more complex than a simple majority.

3. The FIA’s Governance Will Be Overhauled – Ben Sulayem plans to address the procedural flaws that sparked the controversy and to implement a more transparent, democratic system.

4. Motorsport’s Future Hinges on His Leadership – From safety and sustainability to governance, Ben Sulayem’s agenda has the potential to shape the next decade of racing.

5. Stakeholder Re‑engagement – The FIA’s relationship with Formula One and national federations will be key to ensuring the sport’s continued growth and integrity.

In a world where motorsport is increasingly under scrutiny from fans, regulators and environmental groups alike, Ben Sulayem’s re‑election is a turning point. Whether the new election process will live up to its promise of fairness and transparency remains to be seen, but the FIA’s renewed focus on safety, sustainability and governance provides a blueprint for the sport’s next chapter.