FIA presidency race faces turmoil after Villars legal bid
When Laura Villars announced her intention to stand for election for the FIA Presidency, it raised a few eyebrows in the paddock.
Few - if any - had heard of the 28-year-old Swiss racing driver and entrepreneur. Attempts to request a copy of her manifesto initially drew a blank before GPblog was sent a document that was astonishingly thin with policies and promises.
There was little evidence to suggest that she would be in a position to beat Mohammed Ben Sulayem in a race for the FIA presidency; after all, Ben Sulayem’s own campaign had been running since he gained office in 2022 and holds considerable support among the motorsport clubs that make up the vote.
As we now know, all candidates must draw up a presidential team of ten other individuals from around the world; however, as Fabiana Ecclestone is the sole representative eligible from South America - and who has already declared her support for Ben Sulayem - none of the rival presidential hopefuls have an alternative candidate to select.
That has prompted Villars to seek a legal challenge to the election process, with a hearing scheduled in Paris on 10th November at 9.30 am.
When asked by GPblog, an FIA spokesperson said: "Due to the nature of the process, the FIA is unable to comment on this legal action and will not be able to provide further comment on this matter."
What if Villars wins her case?
Villars' case depends on the process by which FIA election rules have prevented a fair process for rival candidates to stand against Ben Sulayem.
Fellow candidate Tim Mayer, who withdrew his campaign citing a lack of transparency with the process, had lent his support to Villars.
If she were to win her case, the presidential process would likely stop until the findings of the investigation and suggested recommendations to the election process, if any, are made.
If that took longer than the election date in December, then Ben Sulayem would stay as president but in a reduced capacity that would limit his power until, if and when, his position is confirmed.
That would undoubtedly be a blow to Ben Sulayem, who had looked nailed-on to remain in full control, despite criticism from a number of different parties, including Motorsport UK chief Dave Richards, who accused F1's governing body of "becoming increasingly less transparent".
Ultimately, what initially seemed as not much of a threat to Ben Sulayem being handed a second term of office now looks to have some potentially huge ramifications.
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