LAURA VILLARS Shakes Up FIA Presidential Race With Late-Stage Challenge

September 20, 2025

by Daniel Moxon // from www.express.co.uk

• LAURA VILLARS dropped into the FIA presidential race like a well-timed overtake, announcing her candidacy just months before December’s election. The 28-year-old Swiss driver joins Tim Mayer in challenging current president Mohammed ben Sulayem, potentially becoming the first woman to hold the position. With racing experience in Formula 4 and Ferrari Challenge, she’s positioning herself as the candidate who can bring “fresh air” to what she calls the “grand old lady” institution.
• Rather than attacking incumbent Ben Sulayem directly like rival Mayer has, VILLARS is taking the high road with a platform focused on transparency, democracy, and stronger youth support. She’s clear that while being a woman matters, it won’t drive her agenda – though let’s be real, having someone who actually understands what it’s like to compete as a woman in motorsport could shake things up in ways the old boys’ club hasn’t considered.
• The timing raises eyebrows – VILLARS entered so late that the FIA hasn’t even received her formal paperwork yet, though she insists there’s time until the October 24th deadline. Her late entry could split opposition votes and inadvertently help Ben Sulayem, but she’s confident in her “strong and brilliant team.” If she pulls this off, we’re looking at a seismic shift in how global motorsport is governed, with someone who actually gets what it’s like to be underestimated in this sport.

ABB FIA Formula E, brazilian formula 4, ferrari challenge, motorsport governance