Ben Sulayem FIA President F1 Concorde Agreement

• Concorde Agreement finalised until 2030 with focus on improved race direction and stewarding
• Laura Villars legal challenge against FIA election to be heard on 16th February 2026

Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been re-elected as president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) for a second term until 2029.

The Emirati, who began his post in 2021, was elected unopposed at the FIA’s general assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Ben Sulayem said: “Thank you to all our FIA Members for voting in remarkable numbers and placing your trust in me once again. We have overcome many obstacles but here today, together, we are stronger than ever.

“It is truly an honour to be FIA president and I am committed to continuing to deliver for the FIA, for motorsport, for mobility, and for our member clubs in every region around the world.”

American Tim Mayer, a former steward, abandoned his bid to run for the FIA presidency in October having been thwarted by the election process, while Swiss racing driver Laura Villars was also unable to stand.

Villars is in the process of taking legal action against the governing body, with a hearing slated for 16th February 2026.

The FIA’s election rules dictate that candidates must nominate a vice-president from each of its six global regions.

There is only one potential candidate in South America – Bernie Ecclestone’s wife Fabiana, who supported Ben Sulayem.

Ben Sulayem has been involved in a number of controversies since he took the helm in 2021, clashing with Lewis Hamilton over wearing jewellery in the cockpit while also angering drivers including Max Verstappen over fines for swearing.

In April, Robert Reid resigned from his role as deputy president for sport at the FIA and accused the governing body of a “breakdown in governance standards”.

Elsewhere, the Concorde Agreement has been finalised between Formula Oneits 11 teams, and the FIA until 2030.

The contract defines the regulatory framework and commercial and governance terms of Formula One, and this latest version is designed to enable the FIA to invest further in improved race regulation, race direction, stewarding, and technical expertise.

“Today is an important day for Formula One. As we celebrate seventy-five years of this incredible sport, we are proud to write the next chapter in our long and amazing history,” said Stefano Domenicali, president and chief executive of Formula One.

“This agreement ensures that Formula One is in the best possible position to continue to grow around the world. I want to thank the president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and all the teams for the collaboration and determination to achieve the best results for the entire sport in our discussions.

“We have a huge amount to be proud of, but we also are focused on the opportunities and exciting potential for Formula One in the years ahead.”

Ben Sulayem said: “The ninth Concorde Agreement secures the FIA Formula One World Championship’s long-term future and I am proud of the dedication that has been invested in this process.

“I would like to thank Stefano Domenicali and his team in what has been a strong collaboration, building a framework grounded in fairness, stability, and shared ambition.

“This agreement allows us to continue modernising our regulatory, technological, and operational capabilities, including supporting our race directors, officials, and the thousands of volunteers whose expertise underpin every race. We are ensuring that Formula One remains at the forefront of technological innovation, setting new standards in global sport.”

PA Media contributed to this report.

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