Ben Sulayem advocates for the elimination of term limits for the FIA presidency.
"A proposal has been submitted"
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is advocating for a proposal that would eliminate term limits for the highest officials in the governing body, potentially allowing FIA presidents to serve beyond the existing 12-year limit. This proposal is set to be discussed and voted on at the FIA General Assembly next month.
The initiative is already drawing scrutiny as it arises during ongoing discussions about FIA governance under the contentious Ben Sulayem administration, and just months after his unopposed re-election. Critics contended at that time that FIA election rules effectively hindered meaningful challengers from remaining in the contest.
Currently, under regulations established during Jean Todt's presidency, FIA presidents are elected for four-year terms and can serve a maximum of two re-elections, totaling 12 years. Ben Sulayem, who was initially elected in 2021 and re-elected unopposed in late 2025, could benefit from this change if approved.
In response to inquiries about the proposal, an FIA spokesperson emphasized that it is not solely being framed as a measure for the presidency. "A proposal has been brought forward to create a uniform approach to term lengths across all FIA entities, akin to what is currently implemented for the World Councils and the Senate," the spokesperson stated.
"This proposal is subject to the approval of the World Councils and the General Assembly. The FIA bodies maintain full authority to democratically elect their directors." The proposal would also impact several other FIA roles that are presently bound by term limits, not just the presidency.
Former FIA steward Tim Mayer, who has been critical of the current leadership and previously asserted that FIA election procedures made it difficult for rivals to contest Ben Sulayem, remarked to the BBC that term limits are a crucial safeguard against the excessive concentration of power. The FIA General Assembly is expected to cast a vote on the proposal in June.
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