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5h ago

Villars Secures Paris Hearing Challenging FIA Election Rules, Seeks To Pause December Vote

The case targets regulations requiring regional vice-presidents from a short World Motor Sport Council list that left no eligible South American alternative to Ben Sulayem’s slate.

Laura Villars has taken legal action against the FIA. Image: PR Newswire
Image
Formula One F1 - Monaco Grand Prix - Circuit de Monaco, Monaco - May 22, 2025 General view of the F1 logo ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
Mohammed Ben Sulayem (L) faces a legal challenge from a rival candidate over his expected re-election as FIA president next month

Overview

  • Swiss‑French racer Laura Villars filed legal action in Paris and requested suspension of the December 12 FIA presidential election pending a ruling.
  • A Paris emergency hearing is scheduled for November 10, with the court also inviting both sides to a conciliation meeting.
  • The rules require presidential tickets to include vice-presidents from each of six regions drawn from the WMSC list, which this year included only one South American, Fabiana Ecclestone, who backs Ben Sulayem.
  • With rivals unable to submit complete slates by the October 24 deadline, the incumbent is currently positioned to be re-elected unopposed.
  • The FIA defended the process as statute-based and democratic and declined further comment, while Tim Mayer and the FIA Forward campaign endorsed Villars’ challenge.