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FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is backing a proposal to remove presidential term limits, sparking fresh concerns over governance and control in motorsport.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem (X)
There seems to be no limit to Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s appetite for control.
The FIA president already came under heavy criticism during the most recent presidential election cycle, where his only serious rival was effectively frozen out by regulations many viewed as deeply restrictive.
What was presented as a democratic process ended with Ben Sulayem being re-elected unopposed in December — hardly a glowing endorsement of healthy governance within motorsport’s governing body.
Now, the Emirati appears ready to go even further.
According to BBC SportBen Sulayem is backing a proposal to scrap presidential term limits at the FIA altogether, a move that could potentially allow him to remain in power indefinitely.
Under the current FIA statutes, a president serves a four-year term and can be re-elected only twice, capping the maximum stay at 12 years — limits introduced during the tenure of former FIA president Jean Todt as part of broader governance reforms.
But that safeguard could soon disappear.
The proposed changes are set to be discussed and voted on at next month’s FIA General Assembly, where insiders expect them to pass comfortably.
An FIA spokesperson defended the proposal by claiming it was designed to create “a consistent approach to tenure across all FIA bodies,” adding that FIA members “retain full authority to democratically elect officeholders.”
Critics, however, are unlikely to be convinced.
The push to remove term limits comes alongside two additional proposed rule changes that would make future election challenges significantly harder.
One new rule would require presidential candidates to “demonstrate sufficient experience within an FIA member or FIA body,” a vaguely defined clause that could easily narrow the pool of eligible challengers.
Another proposal would more than double the deadline for candidates to submit their list of supporting vice-presidents — extending it from 49 days to 100 days before the election date. That would heavily favour incumbents with established political networks inside the FIA.
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