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FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is planning to end age limits for office holders in motorsport’s governing body. The proposed change, which has been seen by BBC Sport, is scheduled for approval at next month’s FIA General Assembly.
Recent Rule Changes and Leadership Control
The upcoming proposal follows a decision six months ago by Ben Sulayem to end term limits for leadership posts across the organization. Current FIA statutes prohibit anyone over 75 from standing as part of a presidential team. Critics report that this latest step seeks to ensure Ben Sulayem can remain FIA president for life.
The draft proposal to be presented to the General Assembly argues that age limits could restrict the number of qualified candidates eligible for election, particularly individuals whose experience and expertise could benefit the FIA. An age limit of 70 was originally imposed in 2023 during Ben Sulayem’s first presidential term. This was a tactic to prevent MotorsportUK boss David Richards from opposing Ben Sulayem at the 2025 presidential election.
At the time, 64-year-old Ben Sulayem stated that the rule would enhance governance and accountability. The FIA added that the move reflected its commitment to maintaining high standards in leadership and governance structures. The FIA has not responded to requests for comment regarding this change of stance.
In 2024, the age limit was raised to 75 on the grounds of modernising governance and aligning presidential candidates with current leadership practices. Age limits for sports leaders are not universally common, as some organizations promote renewal while others allow a wider breadth of candidates.
Controversies and Governance Concerns
Ben Sulayem was first elected FIA president in 2021 and was re-elected unopposed last December due to statutes preventing other candidates from standing. Three individuals wishing to oppose him, including former racing driver Laura Villars and ex-FIA steward Tim Mayer, were blocked from running. Villars is currently pursuing legal action in France against Ben Sulayem and the FIA over the electoral process.
According to BBC Sport reporting, Ben Sulayem’s presidency has faced numerous controversies concerning governance and transparency. Alongside removing term limits, he has introduced statutes reducing accountability and concentrating power. He has also dismissed several senior officers who questioned his leadership style.
Dismissed officials include former chief executive officer Natalie Robyn, who questioned general governance; head of the audit committee and former World Bank official Bertrand Badre; and the compliance officer who investigated and cleared Ben Sulayem of interfering with two Formula 1 operations. Additionally, first vice-president for sport Robert Reid resigned in April 2025, citing a fundamental breakdown in FIA governance standards.
Ben Sulayem’s actions coincide with an October 2025 European Parliament resolution on the European Sport Model, which links sports autonomy to good governance and appropriate checks and balances. A consultation launched in April 2026 is due to report by the end of the year, aimed at addressing financial sustainability, inequalities, governance issues, volunteering decline, and inclusion across the sports sector.
The Ukraine Automobile Federation Agenda Request
At the upcoming General Assembly in Shanghai, Ben Sulayem faces a request from the Ukraine Automobile Federation (FAU) to discuss violations of FIA statutes and the international sporting code by the Russian Automobile Federation (RAF). The RAF has opened regional branches in four cities recognized as sovereign Ukrainian territory by the United Nations. Although the FAU previously asked the FIA to review the matter through its court of appeal, it received no response.
The FAU is now asking the FIA to suspend the RAF’s membership until it closes all offices in Ukraine and halts all activity there. FAU president Oleksander Feldman stated that their proposal aligns with International Olympic Committee conditions for Russian athletes, noting that such participation relied on guarantees that the Russian Olympic Committee would not operate on sovereign Ukrainian territory.
