LAURA VILLARS Launches Historic FIA Presidential Bid to Build Equal Racing Paths

October 10, 2025

• LAURA VILLARS is making history as the first woman to run for FIA president, and she’s not here to play politics as usual. The 28-year-old Swiss driver has a crystal-clear mission: tear down the barriers that have kept women sidelined for decades and build a complete development pathway from karting straight to Formula 1. While the current system offers limited access through programs like F1 Academy that actually restrict progression, VILLARS wants to create a structure that mirrors the men’s pathway – because why should talent have an expiration date based on gender?
• Her vision goes beyond just driver development – VILLARS is calling out the FIA’s leadership problem head-on. She wants women in strategic decision-making roles across all departments, not just token positions. With 240 clubs and 80 million members, she’s pointing out what we’ve all noticed: the federation is completely disconnected from young people and women. It’s not enough to talk about inclusion when the people making decisions don’t reflect the diversity of talent waiting for their shot.
• What makes VILLARS different is her refusal to accept the status quo, even if she doesn’t win. She’s committed to seeing her projects through regardless of the election outcome, which tells us everything about her approach. This isn’t about personal ambition – it’s about fundamentally changing an institution that’s been stuck in the past. Her platform combines inclusion with innovation, road safety with sustainable mobility, proving that progress doesn’t have to come at the expense of tradition.

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