The FIA has officially announced that Mohammed ben Sulayem has been re-elected for a second term as the president of the motorsport governing body. Ben Sulayem ran unopposed as the election rules barred other candidates from entering the race.
With 91.5% of the vote, Ben Sulayem was confirmed as president during the FIA General Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where he received a standing ovation from attendees. Despite public declarations from three other potential candidates, including Laura Villars, Tim Mayer, and Virginie Philippot, none were able to fulfill the requirements to run against Ben Sulayem.
The election process is under scrutiny as a French court hearing is scheduled for mid-February to evaluate its validity. The challengers criticized the lack of democracy in the election, with Mayer even hosting a press conference in Austin to express his concerns.
Villars escalated the situation by initiating legal action in France, leading to a hearing on February 16 to potentially review or annul the election results. However, the FIA remains focused on continuing its operations and addressing important matters within the motorsport community.
Following the re-election announcement on social media, Ben Sulayem is set to serve another four-year term overseeing major events like the Formula 1 World Championship. He first assumed office in 2021, succeeding Jean Todt, who opted not to seek a fourth term after leading the organization for 12 years.
In other news, Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, and Hayu, along with 135 channels and comprehensive coverage of Formula 1 races. Sky’s broadcasting lineup features exclusive coverage of various sports events, including the Premier League, EFL, darts, and golf.