Another woman has joined the FIA presidential race.

      "Motorsport should represent the real world"

      Virginie Philippot has officially declared her candidacy for the FIA presidency, making her the second woman to challenge Mohammed Ben Sulayem in the election scheduled for December. The 33-year-old Belgian-born motorsport journalist, entrepreneur, and former model shared her announcement on Instagram, emphasizing that her goal is "not to be the first but to ensure I’m not the last."

      "Motorsport should reflect the real world – bold, diverse, and united," she stated. Although not widely recognized within the racing community, Philippot, who has participated in lower-tier competitions and attended F1 and WEC events, is determined to become the FIA's first female president.

      She joins Laura Villars and American former steward Tim Mayer on the ballot, competing against the current president Ben Sulayem, with the important vote scheduled for December in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Her platform focuses on inclusivity, transparency, and female involvement, and is influenced by her role as the founder of the NGO Drive For Hope, which aids education and supports orphans in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

      "Let’s create an FIA that is genuinely inclusive of every voice, every story, every passion," she said. The Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo highlighted Philippot's unique background, which includes participating in beauty contests such as Miss Belgium 2011, Miss International 2017, and a short entry into the Miss Universe Democratic Republic of Congo 2025 pageant.

      Despite her limited experience with the FIA, Philippot believes her position as an outsider and her advocacy work could persuade delegates to consider a change from the incumbent. "The race for the future begins now," she asserted.