FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has tabled a motion to scrap Article 20.10, the clause that caps the presidency at three terms or twelve years.
Statutory amendment on the agenda
The proposal, lodged by the Emirati incumbent who is currently serving his second term after running unopposed in the 2025 election, would permit him to remain in office indefinitely until he chooses to resign. FIA officials say the change would align the president’s tenure with the existing rules for the World Councils and the Senate, and that the amendment must pass both the World Councils and the General Assembly before taking effect.
Historical context of term limits
Jean Todt introduced the twelve‑year ceiling during his tenure, a reaction to earlier presidencies that exceeded the new limit: Max Mosley held the post for sixteen years, while Jean‑Marie Balestre served two consecutive four‑year terms. Article 20.10 therefore states, “the President of the FIA may not serve more than three terms of office, whether consecutive or not.” Removing it would erase the safeguard that once curbed extended reigns.
Election mechanics and dissenting voices
Last year’s ballot saw Ben Sulayem as the sole eligible contender; other aspirants failed to secure the requisite nominations from the seven vice‑presidents representing each FIA region – two from Europe and one each from the remaining global zones. Fabiana Ecclestone, the only South‑American representative able to stand, publicly backed Ben Sulayam’s campaign.
During the same election cycle, former steward Tim Mayer, driver Laura Villars and journalist Virginie Philippot mounted challenges to the president’s mandate, though none qualified for a runoff. Villars has since initiated legal proceedings against the FIA over the conduct of the vote.
When approached, the FIA’s communications office reiterated that the amendment seeks “a consistent approach to tenure across all FIA bodies” and affirmed that each council retains the right to democratically elect its officials.
Should the General Assembly endorse the revision, the FIA would effectively eliminate any statutory ceiling on presidential terms, granting Ben Sulayem the option to continue steering the sport’s global governing entity at his discretion.
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