Mohammed ben Sulayem Re-elected as FIA President

Mohammed ben Sulayem has been re-elected as President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motorsport and mobility organisations worldwide, marking the start of his second four-year term.

The decision was confirmed during the FIA’s Annual General Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where his presidential list was overwhelmingly backed by member clubs from across the globe. 

Ben Sulayem, a 14-time FIA Middle East Rally Champion and a prominent figure in international motorsport, first assumed the presidency in December 2021, becoming the first non-European to hold the position. His re-election underscores continuity in leadership at a time when the FIA is navigating key challenges and opportunities in the rapidly evolving world of motorsport. 

During his first term, Ben Sulayem oversaw a period of significant transformation within the FIA, focusing on stronger governance, fiscal responsibility, and enhanced global development. Under his leadership, the federation turned around a substantial financial loss in 2021 to report one of its strongest operating results in nearly a decade, with continued positive forecasts extending into 2025. 

These financial improvements have helped the FIA invest more in grassroots motorsport initiatives, foster regional engagement, and promote sustainability and safety across both competitive and everyday mobility sectors. Such reforms have strengthened the FIA’s standing not just as a regulatory authority in motorsport but also as a leader in mobility innovation. 

Ben Sulayem’s re-election came through an unopposed process at the Tashkent assembly, after potential rivals—including experienced figures in motorsport governance—were unable to fulfil the election requirements, which include nominating vice-presidential candidates from all FIA regions. The FIA has maintained that the election was conducted in accordance with its statutes, reflecting democratic participation by its diverse global membership. 

In his statement following the vote, Ben Sulayem expressed gratitude to FIA members for their trust and pledged to build on the progress achieved so far. He emphasised commitment to furthering the FIA’s mission in promoting safe, sustainable, and inclusive mobility and motorsport development around the world.