The President of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has presented a series of proposals that could significantly modify the governance of the organization in the run-up to the December 2025 elections. According to a document to which the BBC has had access, these measures would affect both the deadlines for submitting candidacies and the composition of the FIA’s governing bodies.
The proposals, which will be evaluated at the next FIA General Assembly in June, have generated debate, as some sources quoted by the ‘BBC’ consider that these modifications could be aimed at consolidating power and centralizing control within the organization.
Stricter ethical requirements for candidates
Among the proposed measures, the introduction of stricter ethical requirements for presidential candidates and their teams stands out. According to the document, “there should be nothing in the candidates’ background that calls into question their professional integrity.” This criterion would be assessed by the FIA ethics committee, which would be responsible for validating the suitability of the applicants.
The FIA code of ethics already stipulates that candidates must avoid conflicts of interest and declare any situation that could lead to them. However, Ben Sulayem proposes that the members of the ethics committee should have a mandate linked to that of the president, which, according to sources quoted by the ‘BBC’, could hinder the independence of this body.
Changes to the FIA World Council and Senate
Another proposal includes changes to the composition of the World Council and the Senate, key decision-making bodies of the FIA. These modifications would affect the distribution of nationalities of members and eliminate the oversight of directly appointed positions, which could alter the balance of power within the organization.
In addition, these measures seek to adjust the structure of the governing bodies to align them with the priorities of the incumbent president, which has raised concerns among some sectors of the FIA.
Bringing forward the deadlines for nominations
Ben Sulayem has also proposed bringing forward the deadline for nominations, which is currently 21 days before the elections, to 49 days. According to the document, this measure would allow the ethics committee more time to validate the suitability of candidates and their teams.
These proposals have been made public a few days after Carlos Sainz, former rally driver and father of Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr, announced that he is evaluating the possibility of running as a candidate for the FIA presidency. However, according to ‘MARCA’, Ben Sulayem’s intentions to implement these changes precede Sainz’s possible candidacy.
An evolving electoral landscape
With FIA elections scheduled for December 2025, Ben Sulayem’s proposals could have a significant impact on the electoral process and the structure of the organization. The June General Assembly will be key in determining whether these measures are implemented and how they will affect the future of the FIA.
