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. With no other candidates meeting the election criteria, Ben Sulayem ran uncontested and received 91.5% of the vote at the FIA General Assembly in Uzbekistan. The election process faces potential legal scrutiny following a challenge by Laura Villars, with a hearing scheduled for mid-February.
Ben Sulayem’s three challengers, including Swiss racer Villars, American Tim Mayer, and Belgium’s Virginie Philippot, failed to fulfill the requirement of nominating vice-presidents from all FIA global motorsport regions, rendering them ineligible. The situation prompted criticism from Mayer, who called the process an “illusion of democracy.” Villars escalated the matter by initiating legal action in France, questioning the validity of the election results.
Despite ongoing legal proceedings, the FIA confirmed Ben Sulayem’s reelection via social media, ensuring his continuation as president for another four-year term. Ben Sulayem, who first assumed office in 2021 after defeating Graham Stoker, succeeded Jean Todt and oversees various elite motorsport series, including the Formula 1 World Championship.
In a separate development, Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to include popular streaming services like HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, and Hayu, alongside 135 channels and comprehensive coverage of Formula 1 events. Sky’s coverage extends to various sports leagues and events, such as the Premier League, EFL, darts, and golf, making it a comprehensive entertainment option for sports enthusiasts.