LAURA VILLARS Takes FIA Presidential Fight to French Court Over Ballot Access

November 10, 2025

• LAURA VILLARS is taking her fight for FIA presidential ballot access to French court after hitting institutional roadblocks that seem almost designed to keep challengers out. The 28-year-old Swiss-French racer’s bid to challenge incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem hit a wall when she couldn’t assemble the required slate of vice-presidential candidates from all global regions by the October 24 deadline.
• Here’s where it gets frustrating: there’s literally only one South American on the FIA’s official list of 29 potential vice-presidents – Brazilian Fabiana Ecclestone – and she’s already committed to Ben Sulayem’s ticket. It’s hard not to see this as a structural barrier that makes meaningful competition nearly impossible, especially for outsiders trying to bring fresh perspectives to motorsport’s top governing body.
• The Paris court will rule December 3 on whether VILLARS can still make the December 12 ballot in Tashkent, just nine days before the election. If the current system stands, Ben Sulayem will run unopposed for his second term leading the organization that governs Formula One, WRC, and Formula E. We’ll know soon whether the courts think this setup passes the fairness test.

ABB FIA Formula E, formula one, junior world rally championship, motorsport governance