Ben Sulayem ‘election rigging’ warn founding FIA association – Following twelve years of Jean Todt’s FIA presidency which represented a relatively tranquil period between the incumbent and Formula One, Mohammed Ben Sulayem was elected as his successor in December 2021. The Frenchman had decided to call it a day and retire from the role as FIA president, one he had held since his leaving his job as the Ferrari team principal – the most successful Scuderia boss of all time.
Yet despite his sanguine approach to managing the relationship with F1’s commercial right owner, Todt had often been criticised for being too hands off with the FIA’s blue ribbon international racing series.
One of Todt’s greatest achievements was to pave the way for the much debated spending cap, and idea which had been kicking around for the best part of a decade. The results of the F1 team’s being forced into a financial straight jacket has been some of the closest fields – certainly in qualifying – the sport has ever seen.
Election rules favour sitting FIA president
Ben Sulayem’s pitch to become president had been one which appealed to the 245 FIA associations from 149 countries around the world and saw him elected with a two thirds majority. Promises of better funding for ground level motorsports swayed the electorate but now as his four year term is coming to a close, the president of the FIA is being accused of rigging the voting process which could see him re-elected.
Any prospective candidate must produce a ‘list’ of his backers which must include a president of the senate and also a deputy president and seven vice-presidents for sport, as well as a deputy president and seven vice-presidents for automobile, mobility and tourism.
That number of vice presidents ensures all regions are represented, with two representatives for Europe and one each of the MENA, Africa, North America, South America and Asia-Pacific regions. Anyone backing the president or his challenger can only appear on one ‘list’, so in effect each of the above specified officers declares their allegiance in the coming election openly and before the vote takes place.
Of course this system favours the incumbent president so long as he has delivered on his promises to his constituents during his current term. Ben Sulayem ran on a ticket to improve the finances of the FIA which were in some disarray posting a loss of around €24m for Todt’s final year as president.
Ben Sulayem seeks power to ban rival candidates
The Emirati has played hard ball with Liberty Media and FOM to increase the flow of funds to F1’s governing body, for example refusing to sanction six Sprint race weekends a year until more money was found for the FIA. There have been spats too over who owns F1, with Ben Sulayem claiming it is the FIA whilst the commercial rights holders merely rent the financial opportunity on a 99 year lease agreed by Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosely which expires only in 2110.
It appears unsatisfied with Ben Sulayem’s performance and the rows over jewellery, underpants and swearing all making unnecessary headlines, senior F1 figures have agreed to promote Carlos Sainz Snr in a bid to challenge Ben Sulayem in the coming months. A bold move but one designed to appeal to the FIA associations not enamoured with F1. Sainz Snr is a multiple world rally champion whilst Ben Sulayem merely claimed middle eastern titles of far less prestige. The Spaniard also has the advantage of being globally well known and was a much loved character during the days of his competition.
In an attempt to leadoff any challenger at the pass, Ben Sulayem recently released his list of the FIA associations and presidents who will support his bid for re-election. This was clearly an attempt to pressurise Sainz Snr, who has not yet announced he will make a formal bid. Yet with the mighty resources if Liberty Media behind any campaign he choses to wage, the father of Carlos could be in a strong position.
Having believed he would stand unopposed, which has been somewhat of a loose FIA tradition with a sitting president, Ben Sulayem shocked by hearing he may be challenged released his latest proposal for reforming the presidential elections. These changes include bringing forward the deadline for candidates to declare and allowing Ben Sulayem to bar potential contenders based on a lack of “professional integrity” whilst consolidating power within the FIA Senate.
F1 2026 calendar and dramatic rule changes
Austrian FIA association warns of election rigging
Just when it appeared moving along nicely for the Emirati with his ‘list’ declared, now the oldest and founding member association of the FIA has castigated Be Sulayem’s efforts at electoral reform in an open letter.
The Osterreichischer Automobil-, Motorrad- und Touring Club) – OATC – has warned that the FIA could be “damaging its credibility” if they are to support the proposed changes brought forward by the Emirati. Austria was a founding member of the now global motorsports body that is the FIA and as such wields a certain influence over like minded historic associations.
This letter comes on the eve of the FIA General assembly meeting taking place in Macau where ben Sulayem’s proposals will be debated. The very fact the letter is open flies in the face of Ben Sulayem’s recent attempts to silence senior FIA individuals by forcing them to sign non-disclosure agreements.
The correspondence from the OAMTC has been sent to each member association sitting on the World Council for Automobile Mobility and Tourism (WCAMT), outlining their concerns over the direction Ben Sulayem wants to take the FIA. “Damage to the FIA’s credibility as an organisation has already occurred through repeated governance mis-steps and failings,” the letter states.
F1 breakaway from the FIA
“These are not anomalies: they are features of a system of governance that is malfunctioning, due to the absence of normal internal debate and discussion. The FIA’s standing in comparison to other international organisations is threatened by the self-inflicted wound of governance failure.”
The Austrians effort is designed to compel it fellow members to vote against the changes or at worst ask for more time for them to be considered properly. Further it argues there is huge peril of these ‘reforms’ being closely associated with the upcoming election just months from now. “Where there is even a risk of these changes appearing to benefit the current FIA administration, and not the FIA itself, the changes should not be adopted,” the correspondence continued.
“There is ample time for more careful reflection, and if these are desirable changes, they will still be desirable at a future General Assembly after the next election,” it concludes. Nearly all of the FIA funding comes from F1 and so the associations must be careful they don’t bite the hand that feeds it.
Whilst under EU law, Formula One must be regulated by an arms length organisation other than those who hold the commercial rights, there are those who believe a breakaway from the FIA would be entirely feasible and beneficial for both new parties. F1 would then be regulated by people dedicated to the sport and the stewarding of the weekends would also shift from part time grace ad favour appointments from amongst the great and good in the various associations, to full time professional officials.
Should Ben Sulayem win the day over his new proposals, there will definitely be more FIA/F1 trouble in the coming weeks.
MORE F1 NEWS – Aston Martin confirms Stroll decision
Lance Stroll is set to take his place on the grid at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, after Aston Martin confirmed that the driver has recovered from recent hand surgery and is fit to race. This announcement was made on Wednesday, just days before the start of his long-awaited home race in Montreal.
Despite facing a late medical setback, Stroll was determined not to miss the opportunity to race in front of his home fans at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Having withdrawn from the Spanish Grand Prix due to recurring pain in his right hand, Stroll underwent further surgery that cast doubt over his participation in Montreal. However, after a successful recovery and testing session, he has now been given the all-clear…. READ MORE
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
